10.000 Cruzeiros Reais

The Cruzeiro Real was a transitional currency, introduced in August 1993 as Brazil lurched between monetary systems during one of the most sustained hyperinflationary episodes in Latin American history. The 10,000 Cruzeiros Reais represented the top denomination of a currency that was itself replaced within a year — the Real was introduced in July 1994 under the Plano Real, which finally broke the inflationary cycle that had consumed six prior currencies since 1942.

At peak inflation in 1993, prices were rising at roughly 2,500% annually. Notes of this face value lost meaningful purchasing power within weeks of issue.