Live Converter
Turn Dollars Into the Old Leone
Enter any amount above to convert US Dollars (USD) to Sierra Leonean Leone, old (SLL), or vice versa.
Rate Info
About This Reference Rate
This figure is derived from the current new leone (SLE) rate against the dollar, then scaled by the fixed 1,000 to 1 redenomination ratio to express it in old leones. Sierra Leone's central bank stopped issuing old leone notes after the 2022 changeover, so this reference works best for historical prices or older documents rather than an active transaction. Rate source: compiled from publicly available currency market data. Confirm the current SLE rate with a bank or exchange provider for anything happening today. This page is offered as a general reference and isn't financial advice. Because SLL is a retired currency code, treat this figure as a historical conversion rather than a live market price, and use the current SLE rate for anything happening today.
Common Uses
Where This Historical Rate Comes Up
A few specific situations explain most of the interest in comparing these two currencies.
Mining and Mineral Exports
Sierra Leone's economy relies heavily on diamond, rutile, and other mineral exports, and international buyers typically settle in dollars. Older financial records from before the 2022 redenomination may still list local figures in the old leone.
Understanding the 2022 Redenomination
Anyone researching Sierra Leone's monetary history, or trying to make sense of an older invoice or news article, uses this pair to see how the old and new leone relate to a familiar currency like the dollar.
Interpreting Historical Prices
Older business records, academic papers, or archived pricing that quote figures in old leones are easier to make sense of once converted through this rate into current dollar terms.
Quick Reference
Reference Chart: Dollars to Old Leones
A rounded reference table for common amounts, based on the rate discussed above.
| Amount (USD) | Formula | Result (SLL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 USD to SLL | 1 × 22,900 | 22,900.00 SLL |
| 5 USD to SLL | 5 × 22,900 | 114,500.00 SLL |
| 10 USD to SLL | 10 × 22,900 | 229,000.00 SLL |
| 50 USD to SLL | 50 × 22,900 | 1,145,000.00 SLL |
| 100 USD to SLL | 100 × 22,900 | 2,290,000.00 SLL |
| 500 USD to SLL | 500 × 22,900 | 11,450,000.00 SLL |
| 1,000 USD to SLL | 1,000 × 22,900 | 22,900,000.00 SLL |
| 5,000 USD to SLL | 5,000 × 22,900 | 114,500,000.00 SLL |
| 10,000 USD to SLL | 10,000 × 22,900 | 229,000,000.00 SLL |
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a recent USD to SLL exchange rate?
About 22,900 old leones per US dollar. This is derived from the current new leone rate rather than a live traded rate for the retired old currency.
Is the old Sierra Leonean leone (SLL) still used?
No. Sierra Leone's central bank stopped issuing SLL notes after the 2022 redenomination, replacing it with the new leone, SLE, at a fixed rate of 1,000 old leones per new one.
Why did Sierra Leone redenominate its currency?
Years of inflation had pushed everyday prices into figures with many zeros, making transactions and accounting cumbersome. Removing three zeros simplified pricing and gave the currency a cleaner scale going forward.
How much is 10 US dollars in old leones?
10 dollars works out to about 229,000 SLL at the derived rate used here, a figure mainly useful for comparing against old pre-2022 pricing.
What's the difference between SLL and SLE?
SLL is the retired old leone, while SLE is the current new leone introduced in the 2022 redenomination. One SLE equals 1,000 SLL, so converting between them is a simple shift of the decimal point.
Can I still exchange dollars for old SLL banknotes?
In most cases no, since the changeover period for exchanging old notes at the central bank has passed. Old SLL notes are now primarily of interest to currency collectors rather than active exchange.
How do I convert today's dollar figures into old SLL terms?
Multiply the dollar amount by the current SLE rate to get new leones, then multiply by 1,000 to express it in the old SLL denomination.
Is Sierra Leone still a major diamond exporter?
Yes, diamonds along with rutile and other minerals remain central to Sierra Leone's export economy, and the country has worked over the years to strengthen certification and oversight of its diamond trade.
Where can I find historical SLL exchange rate data?
Central bank archives for Sierra Leone, along with historical data from major currency reference sites, typically carry SLL rates from before the 2022 changeover.