The Central Bank of Brazil (Portuguese: Banco Central do Brasil) is Brazil's central bank. It was established on December 31, 1964.

The main building of the Central Bank is visible from anywhere in the city and is one of the most important monuments among the buildings in the architectural set of Brasilia. The design was conceived by Mr. Hélio Ferreira Pinto's architecture firm. Construction work began on August 11, 1975, and ended on May 20, 1981.

The doubloon of the Brazilian Empire was a source inspiration for the architectural design. The architect modified the Cross of Christ, which is engraved on that coin, making the edges of its arms more straight – this originated the building outline. The idea for the towers forming elevator halls derives from the four corners of the cross.

The Central Bank logo was conceived at the same time by Mr. Aloísio Magalhães, a designer member of the team. Although the building was still a model, the logo was inspired by the aerial view of the building's projected shadow.

Translation:
1965
• Central Bank of Brazil •
2015
50 Years

Numerical denomination and date surrounded by geometric patterns and Southern Cross.

Crux is a constellation located in the southern sky in a bright portion of the Milky Way, and is the smallest but one of the most distinctive of the 88 modern constellations. Its name is Latin for cross, and it is dominated by a cross-shaped or kite-like asterism that is commonly known as the Southern Cross.