Currency is the medium for economic exchange, a unit used to calculate value and an index of a nation's strength and purchasing power. It is closely connected to everything from an individual's daily life to the economic development of a country. This year, 1999, is the 50th anniversary of the New Taiwan Dollars. To celebrate the successful replacement of the old Taiwan dollar with the new Taiwan dollar and its great contribution to the Taiwan economic miracle, the Directorate is issuing a set of two stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the New Taiwan Dollars. Because the stability of a country's currency is very important to its economy and stability, central banks have exclusive right to print and distribute currency. In 1949, with turmoil in Mainland China, both the legally stipulated paper currency and the gold certificates in the mainland were devaluated, and the Taiwan dollars (the old Taiwan dollars) were affected. Issue of them was out of control and runaway inflation resulted. To stop commodity prices from rocketing and creating an inflationary spiral that would land the nation in dire economic straits, the government put through the currency reform and published the New Taiwan Dollars to stabilize Taiwan politically and economically. For the last 50 years, under the wise leadership of the Government and the diligence and united efforts of all citizens, the New Taiwan Dollars has been stable, which has been very important to the economic development of Taiwan. The New Taiwan Dollars has good credibility and has gradually become one of the world's strong currencies.