Money Too Cheap for Tito’s Portrait, Slovenians Assert

A Slovenian organization has demanded immediate abolition of 5,000-dinar banknotes featuring Josip Broz Tito’s portrait, saying that rampant inflation “devalues the image” of the late Yugoslav President.

With annual inflation now at an official 123.4%, the Yugoslav currency is worth less than half its value a year ago.

The 5,000-dinar note, the only one decorated with Tito’s portrait, is now worth $5.75, down from $16 when introduced 20 months ago.

According to the Vecernje Novosti newspaper, the Socialist Alliance, a Communist-led mass organization, said in the Slovenian town of Koper. “The loss in dinar’s value due to high inflation also devalues Tito’s image printed on the banknotes.” Tito died in 1981.