BusinessSeptember 1, 2026
pataca
puh-TAH-kuh
Definition
The official currency of Macau, which is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar.
Etymology
The word comes from the Portuguese 'pataca,' which was originally a name for the Spanish 'piece of eight' or silver dollar, derived from the Arabic 'battaqa,' referring to a type of coin.
In the news
The article uses the pataca as a case study for how currency pegs function, noting its historical exchange rate adjustments and its limited utility as a store of value compared to other currencies in Macau.
MONADIC VIEWS – The Peg
Read the full article ↗Macau Business