The Maltese pataca was a currency used in Malta from 1798 to 1825 before being replaced by the sterling pound. It is sometimes referred to as the Maltese scudo or the Maltese dollar. The scudo was used prior to the pataca and was equivalent to 12 tari; the tari was the predecessor to the pataca and was used from the 16th century. The pataca was also known as the lira and was divided into 20 tari. The currency was mainly used in trade and was also used to pay the island's debts to the British Empire. Today, the Maltese euro is the official currency of Malta.