ISO 4217 defines alphabetic and numeric codes for currencies and funds, alongside minor-unit information. It gives amounts and financial messages a currency reference, with published amendments keeping the code set aligned with currency changes rather than relying on names or symbols.
TL;DR:
- ISO 4217 defines alphabetic and numeric currency codes.
- The maintained lists also describe funds, minor units and historical codes.
- Current code-list amendments must be distinguished from the base edition.
Summary
Currency representation
ISO 4217 establishes internationally recognised three-letter and three-digit currency codes. They provide consistent identifiers for exchanging currency information across languages and systems.
Code forms
Alphabetic codes commonly build on ISO 3166 country codes and a currency-name letter, as in USD and CHF. Numeric codes support computerised exchange and contexts that do not use Latin script. The maintained information also specifies minor-unit relationships where applicable.
Current and historical lists
The framework includes currencies, certain funds and historical codes. A withdrawn currency identifier can remain important for historical transactions, while current processing requires the applicable active-list information.
Maintenance responsibility
ISO’s overview refers to ISO 4217:2015 and identifies SIX Financial Information as the maintenance secretariat acting for SNV. Periodic list amendments are distinct from a new base-standard edition. Currency identification does not prescribe an exchange rate or settlement arrangement.
Keywords
- Currency Codes
- ISO 4217
- Alphabetic Codes
- Numeric Codes
- Minor Units
- Currency Funds
- Historical Codes
- SIX
- Code Maintenance
- Currency Identification