Pénznemkódok

Pénznemkódok, also known as currency codes or ISO 4217 codes, are three-letter alphabetic codes used to represent currencies. These codes are standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and are widely used in international finance, banking, and trade. The primary purpose of these codes is to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity when referring to different currencies, especially in global transactions.

The ISO 4217 standard defines not only the three-letter alphabetic codes but also a three-digit numeric code for each currency. For example, the code for the United States Dollar is USD, and its corresponding numeric code is 840. Similarly, the Euro is represented by EUR, with the numeric code 978. These codes are essential for electronic funds transfers, foreign exchange markets, and financial reporting. They facilitate automated processing and reduce the potential for errors that could arise from using currency names, which can vary or have multiple meanings in different languages.

Beyond the standard codes, ISO 4217 also specifies rules for the representation of currency amounts, including the number of decimal places. This standardization is crucial for maintaining consistency in financial data across different systems and countries. The codes are maintained by an ISO 4217 maintenance agency, which ensures that the list of currencies and their codes remains up-to-date with global economic changes.