It was replaced by the Indonesian rupiah at an unknown exchange rate following East Timor's occupation by Indonesia.

East Timor (formerly Portuguese Timor) now uses the United States dollar banknotes and has its own coins in circulation.

The first coins issued, dated 1958, were in denominations of 10, 30 and 60 centavos, 1, 3 and 6 escudos.

The unusual denominations (see also the banknotes, below) may have been due to the exchange rate from the previous currency.

All paper money was issued by the Banco Nacional Ultramarino.