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Pound (currency)
Encyclopedia
The pound is a unit of currency
in some nations. The term originated in England as the value of a pound
of silver
.
The word pound is the English translation of the Latin word libra, which was the unit of account
of the Roman Empire
.
The English pound derived from the Roman libra, which is why the pound (mass)
is often initialised to 'lb'; along with the French livre
and the Italian lira
, when, during Middle Ages
the European countries adopted the LSD
system.
The currency's symbol is £
. Historically, £1 worth of silver coins were a troy pound in weight; as of April 2011 this amount of silver is worth approximately £300 sterling.
Today, the term may refer to a number of current (primarily British
and related) currencies, and a variety of now-obsolete currencies. Some of them, those official in former Italian states and in countries formerly belonging to the Ottoman Empire
, are called pound in English, while in the local languages their official name is lira.
Currency
In economics, currency refers to a generally accepted medium of exchange. These are usually the coins and banknotes of a particular government, which comprise the physical aspects of a nation's money supply...
in some nations. The term originated in England as the value of a pound
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
of silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
.
The word pound is the English translation of the Latin word libra, which was the unit of account
Unit of account
A unit of account is a standard monetary unit of measurement of value/cost of goods, services, or assets. It is one of three well-known functions of money. It lends meaning to profits, losses, liability, or assets....
of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
.
The English pound derived from the Roman libra, which is why the pound (mass)
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
is often initialised to 'lb'; along with the French livre
Livré
Livré-la-Touche is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France. Prior to October 6, 2008, it was known as Livré....
and the Italian lira
Lira
Lira is the name of the monetary unit of a number of countries, as well as the former currency of Italy, Malta, San Marino and the Vatican City and Israel. The term originates from the value of a Troy pound of high purity silver. The libra was the basis of the monetary system of the Roman Empire...
, when, during Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
the European countries adopted the LSD
£sd
£sd was the popular name for the pre-decimal currencies used in the Kingdom of England, later the United Kingdom, and ultimately in much of the British Empire...
system.
The currency's symbol is £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
. Historically, £1 worth of silver coins were a troy pound in weight; as of April 2011 this amount of silver is worth approximately £300 sterling.
Today, the term may refer to a number of current (primarily British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and related) currencies, and a variety of now-obsolete currencies. Some of them, those official in former Italian states and in countries formerly belonging to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, are called pound in English, while in the local languages their official name is lira.
Current currencies
- Pound sterlingPound sterlingThe pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
(GBP, represented by the pound signPound signThe pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
: "£"), the currency of the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, its Crown dependencies (the Isle of ManIsle of ManThe Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
and the Channel Island bailiwicks of JerseyJerseyJersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
and GuernseyGuernseyGuernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
), and the British Overseas TerritoriesBritish overseas territoriesThe British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories of the United Kingdom which, although they do not form part of the United Kingdom itself, fall under its jurisdiction. They are remnants of the British Empire that have not acquired independence or have voted to remain British territories...
of South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a British overseas territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands, known as the South Sandwich...
, British Antarctic TerritoryBritish Antarctic TerritoryThe British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
and British Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryThe British Indian Ocean Territory or Chagos Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Africa and Indonesia...
. See also Isle of Man pound, Jersey poundJersey poundThe pound is the currency of Jersey. Jersey is in currency union with the United Kingdom, and the Jersey pound is not a separate currency but is an issue of banknotes and coins by the States of Jersey denominated in pound sterling, in a similar way to the banknotes issued in Scotland and Northern...
, Guernsey poundGuernsey poundThe pound is the currency of Guernsey. Since 1921, Guernsey has been in currency union with the United Kingdom and the Guernsey pound is not a separate currency but is a local issue of banknotes and coins denominated in pound sterling, in a similar way to the banknotes issued in Scotland and...
and Alderney poundAlderney poundThe island of Alderney has its own currency, which by law must be the same as the United Kingdom .Schedule 2 of the Government of Alderney Law provides that the States of Alderney may, by Ordinance, prescribe "the legal currency and denominations of the legal currency, so however that that...
. - Egyptian poundEgyptian poundThe Egyptian Pound is the currency of Egypt. It is divided into 100 Qirsh , or 1,000 Milliemes ....
- Lebanese poundLebanese poundThe Lebanese pound is the currency unit of Lebanon. It is divided into 100 piastres but inflation has eliminated the subdivisions....
- South Sudanese poundSouth Sudanese poundThe South Sudanese pound is the official currency of the Republic of South Sudan. It is subdivided into 100 piastres. It was approved by the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly prior to secession on 9 July 2011 from Sudan...
- Sudanese poundSudanese poundThe Sudanese pound is the currency of Sudan and also used in South Sudan until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency...
- Syrian poundSyrian pound-Use of 10 Syrian pound coins in Norway:The shape of the 10 Syrian pound coin has been found to so resemble the 20 Norwegian krone coin that it can fool vending machines, coins-to-cash machines, arcade machines, and any other coin-operated, automated service machine in the country...
Equal exchange rate
The following currencies are interchangeable at par with the pound sterling. These are issued in certain British Overseas Territories:| Pound | Market |
|---|---|
| Saint Helenian pound | St Helena |
| Ascension Island Ascension Island Ascension Island is an isolated volcanic island in the equatorial waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, around from the coast of Africa and from the coast of South America, which is roughly midway between the horn of South America and Africa... |
|
| Tristan da Cunha Tristan da Cunha Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America... |
|
| Falkland pound | Falkland Islands Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland... |
| Gibraltar pound Gibraltar pound The Gibraltar pound is the currency of Gibraltar. It is exchangeable with the UK pound sterling at par value.-History:... |
Gibraltar Gibraltar Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region... |
Historical currencies
- Anglo-Saxon pound (Anglo-SaxonAnglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
England) - Australian poundAustralian poundThe pound was the currency of Australia from 1910 until 13 February 1966, when it was replaced by the Australian dollar. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.- Earlier Australian currencies :...
(until 1966, replaced by the Australian dollarAustralian dollarThe Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
). The Australian pound was also used in the Gilbert and Ellice IslandsGilbert and Ellice IslandsThe Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British protectorate from 1892 and colony from 1916 until 1 January 1976, when the islands were divided into two different colonies which became independent nations shortly after...
, NauruNauruNauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
, New HebridesNew HebridesNew Hebrides was the colonial name for an island group in the South Pacific that now forms the nation of Vanuatu. The New Hebrides were colonized by both the British and French in the 18th century shortly after Captain James Cook visited the islands...
and Papua and New Guinea. It was replaced in the New Hebrides in 1977 by the New Hebrides francNew Hebrides francThe franc was the currency of the Anglo-French Condominium of the Pacific island group of the New Hebrides . It circulated alongside British and later Australian currency. The New Hebrides franc was nominally divided into 100 centimes, although the smallest denomination was the 1 franc...
. - Bahamian poundBahamian poundThe pound was the currency of the Bahamas until 1966. It was equivalent to the pound sterling and was divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Ordinary UK coinage circulated...
(until 1966, replaced by the Bahamian dollarBahamian dollarThe dollar has been the currency of The Bahamas since 1966. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively B$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents....
)
- Bermudian pound (until 1970, replaced by the Bermudian dollar)
- Biafran poundBiafran poundThe Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.The first notes denominated in 5 shillings and £1 were introduced on January 29, 1968. A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2½ shilling coins were minted, all made of...
(1968 to 1970, replaced by the Nigerian poundNigerian poundThe pound was the currency of Nigeria between 1907 and 1973. Until 1958, Nigeria used the British West African pound, after which it issued its own currency. The pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence...
) - British West African pound
- in British Cameroon replaced by the CFA francCFA francThe CFA franc is the name of two currencies used in Africa which are guaranteed by the French treasury. The two CFA franc currencies are the West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc...
in 1961 - in Gambia, replaced by the Gambian poundGambian poundThe pound was the currency of the Gambia between 1907 and 1971. Gambia used the British West African pound until it issued its own currency on October 5, 1964. In 1971, the dalasi replaced the pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 4 shillings....
in 1968 - in GhanaGhanaGhana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, replaced by the Ghanaian poundGhanaian poundThe Ghanaian pound was the currency of Ghana between 1958 and 1965. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Until 1958, Ghana used the British West African pound, after which it issued its own currency...
in 1958 - in LiberiaLiberiaLiberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, replaced by the U.S. dollar in 1943 - in NigeriaNigeriaNigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, replaced by the Nigerian poundNigerian poundThe pound was the currency of Nigeria between 1907 and 1973. Until 1958, Nigeria used the British West African pound, after which it issued its own currency. The pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence...
in 1958 - in Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneSierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, replaced by the leoneSierra Leonean leone-Banknotes:In 1964, the Bank of Sierra Leone introduced notes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leones. 50 cents notes were added in 1979, followed by 10 leones in 1980 and 20 leones in 1982...
in 1964
- in British Cameroon replaced by the CFA franc
- Canadian poundCanadian poundThe pound was the unit of account for currency of the Canadas until 1858. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. In Lower Canada, the sou was used, worth penny...
(until 1859, replaced by the Canadian dollarCanadian dollarThe Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
) - Cypriot poundCypriot poundThe pound, also known as the lira , was the currency of Cyprus, including the Sovereign Base Areas in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, until 31 December 2007, when the Republic of Cyprus adopted the euro...
(Cyprus and Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and DhekeliaAkrotiri and DhekeliaThe Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British-administered areas comprising a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus administered as Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom...
, until 1 January 2008, replaced by the euroEuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
) - Fijian poundFijian poundThe pound was the currency of Fiji between 1873 and 1969. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:From its earliest days as a British colony, British sterling coinage circulated in Fiji, supplemented by locally produced paper money...
(until 1969, replaced by the Fijian dollarFijian dollarThe dollar has been the currency of Fiji since 1969 and was also the currency between 1867 and 1873. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively FJ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
) - Gambian poundGambian poundThe pound was the currency of the Gambia between 1907 and 1971. Gambia used the British West African pound until it issued its own currency on October 5, 1964. In 1971, the dalasi replaced the pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 4 shillings....
(1968 to 1971, replaced by the dalasiGambian dalasiThe dalasi is the currency of the Gambia. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. The dalasi was adopted in 1971. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.-Coins:...
) - Ghanaian poundGhanaian poundThe Ghanaian pound was the currency of Ghana between 1958 and 1965. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Until 1958, Ghana used the British West African pound, after which it issued its own currency...
(1958 to 1965, replaced by the cediGhanaian cediThe Ghana Cedi is the unit of currency of Ghana. The word "cedi" is derived from the Akan word for cowry shell. The Ghana cedi was introduced on 3 July 2007 and is equal to 10,000 old cedis...
) - Irish poundIrish poundThe Irish pound was the currency of Ireland until 2002. Its ISO 4217 code was IEP, and the usual notation was the prefix £...
(Irish: Punt na hÉireann) (until 2002, replaced by the euroEuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
) - Israeli poundIsraeli poundThe Israeli lira or Israel pound was the currency of Israel from shortly after the creation of the state in 1948 until 1980. Until 1952, the name used on the notes of the Anglo-Palestine Bank was Palestine pound, in Hebrew לירה א"י . In Arabic, the name was given as junayh filisţīnī...
, also known as the Israeli lira (until 1980, replaced by the sheqelIsraeli sheqelThe old shekel was the currency of Israel between February 24, 1980, and December 31, 1985 until replaced by the Israeli new shekel at a ratio of 1000:1 on January 1, 1986. The old shekel was short-lived due to the high rates of inflation in Israel at the time. The old shekel was subdivided into...
) - Jamaican poundJamaican poundThe pound was the official currency of Jamaica between 1840 and 1969. It circulated as a mixture of British currency and local issues and was always equal to the British pound...
(until 1968, replaced by the Jamaican dollarJamaican dollarThe dollar has been the currency of Jamaica since 1969. It is often abbreviated "J$", the J serving to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.-History:...
). The Jamaican pound was also used in Cayman IslandsCayman IslandsThe Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica...
and Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos IslandsThe Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union consisting of two groups of tropical islands in the Caribbean, the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, known for tourism and as an offshore financial centre.The Turks and...
until 1968. - Jordanian pound; see Palestinian pound.
- Libyan poundLibyan poundThe Libyan pound was the currency of Libya between 1951 and 1971. The pound was divided into 100 piastres and 1000 milliemes .- History :...
(until 1971, replaced by the Libyan dinarLibyan dinarThe dinar is the currency of Libya. Its ISO 4217 code is "LYD". The dinar is subdivided into 1000 dirham . It was introduced in 1971 and replaced the pound at par. It is issued by the Central Bank of Libya, which also supervises the banking system and regulates credit...
) - Malawian poundMalawian poundThe pound was the currency of Malaŵi until 1971. From 1932, Malaŵi used the Southern Rhodesian pound. In 1955, a new currency was introduced, the Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound. This was replaced by the Malaŵian pound in 1964, following Malaŵi's independence. The pound was subdivided into 20...
(1964 to 1970, replaced by the Malawian kwachaMalawian kwachaThe kwacha is the currency of Malawi as of 1971, replacing the Malawian pound. It is divided into 100 tambala. The kwacha replaced other types of currency, namely British, South African and Rhodesian, that had previously circulated through the Malawian economy...
) - Maltese pound (until 1972, replaced by the Maltese liraMaltese liraThe lira was the currency of Malta from 1972 until 31 December 2007. The lira was abbreviated as Lm, although the traditional ₤ sign was often used locally...
which was itself replaced by the euro on 1 January 2008) - New Brunswick poundNew Brunswick poundThe pound was the currency of New Brunswick until 1860. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence, with the dollar circulating at a value of 5 shillings .-History:...
- Newfoundland poundNewfoundland poundThe pound was the currency of Newfoundland until 1865. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. The Newfoundland pound was equal to the British pound and British coins circulated, supplemented by locally produced tokens and banknotes...
(until 1865, replaced by the Newfoundland dollarNewfoundland dollarThe dollar was the currency of the colony and Dominion of Newfoundland from 1865 until 1949, when Newfoundland became a province of Canada. It was subdivided into 100 cents.-History:...
) - New Guinean pound
- New Zealand poundNew Zealand poundThe pound was the currency of New Zealand between 1840 and 1967. Like the British pound, it was subdivided into 20 shillings each of 12 pence. As a result of the great depression of the early 1930s, the New Zealand agricultural export market to the UK was badly affected...
(until 1967, replaced by the New Zealand dollarNew Zealand dollarThe New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
). The New Zealand pound was also used in the Cook IslandsCook IslandsThe Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
and the Pitcairn IslandsPitcairn IslandsThe Pitcairn Islands , officially named the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, form a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. The islands are a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union in the Pacific...
. - Nigerian poundNigerian poundThe pound was the currency of Nigeria between 1907 and 1973. Until 1958, Nigeria used the British West African pound, after which it issued its own currency. The pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence...
(1958 to 1973, replaced by the naira) - Nova Scotian poundNova Scotian poundThe pound was the currency of Nova Scotia until 1860. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. It was equivalent to the British pound and was replaced by the dollar in 1860, at a rate of 5 dollars = 1 pound , although coins and notes of the dollar currency were not issued until...
(until 1860, replaced by the Nova Scotian dollarNova Scotian dollarThe dollar was the currency of Nova Scotia between 1860 and 1871. It replaced the Nova Scotian pound at a rate of 5 dollars = 1 pound and was consequently worth less than the Canadian dollar...
) - Oceanian poundOceanian poundThe pound was a currency issued by the Japanese occupiers of former British and Australian territories and colonies between 1942 and 1945. These included Kiribati, Nauru, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu....
(KiribatiKiribatiKiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
, NauruNauruNauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
, New GuineaNew GuineaNew Guinea is the world's second largest island, after Greenland, covering a land area of 786,000 km2. Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, it lies geographically to the east of the Malay Archipelago, with which it is sometimes included as part of a greater Indo-Australian Archipelago...
, Solomon IslandsSolomon IslandsSolomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and TuvaluTuvaluTuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
) - Palestinian pound (replaced by the Israeli pound; also served as Jordanian pound, replaced in Jordan by the Jordanian dinarJordanian dinarThe dinar is the currency of Jordan. The dinar is divided into 10 dirham, 100 qirsh or 1000 fils....
) - Pound ScotsPound ScotsThe pound Scots was the national unit of currency in the Kingdom of Scotland before the country entered into political and currency union with the Kingdom of England in 1707 . It was introduced by David I, in the 12th century, on the model of English and French money, divided into 20 shillings...
of Scotland (until 1707 union with England) - Prince Edward Island poundPrince Edward Island poundThe pound was the currency of Prince Edward Island until 1871. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. It was replaced by the dollar in 1871. British coins circulated, together with locally produced coins and paper money.-Coins:...
- Rhodesian poundRhodesian poundThe pound was the currency of Rhodesia from 1964 until 1970. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:The Rhodesian pound was introduced following the break-up of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, when Southern Rhodesia changed its name to simply Rhodesia...
(until 1970 in Rhodesia, replaced by the Rhodesian dollarRhodesian dollarThe dollar was the currency of Rhodesia between 1970 and 1980. It was subdivided into 100 cents.-History:The dollar was introduced on February 17, 1970, less than a month before the declaration of a republic on March 2, 1970. It replaced the pound at a rate of 2 dollars to 1 pound...
; until 1964 in Nyasaland, replaced by the Malawian pound; and until 1964 in Northern Rhodesia, replaced by the Zambian pound) - Rhodesia and Nyasaland poundRhodesia and Nyasaland poundThe pound was the currency of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:...
- Samoan poundSamoan poundThe pound was the currency of Western Samoa between 1914 and 1967. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:In 1914, following the New Zealand occupation of German Samoa, the pound sterling replaced the German mark as the currency of the territory...
(1914–1920 provisional issue by the New Zealand Government military administration. 1920–1959 by the New Zealand Government administration (Treasury notes). 1960–1963 by the Bank of Western Samoa. Replaced 1967 by the talaSamoan talaThe tālā is the currency of Samoa. It is divided into 100 sene. The terms tālā and sene are the equivalents or transliteration of the English words dollar and cent, in the Samoan language....
($).) - Scottish pound; see Pound Scots
- Solomon Islands poundSolomon Islands poundThe pound was the currency of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate between 1899 and 1966. It was divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Initially, the British pound circulated, supplemented by local banknotes from 1916. In 1920, Australian coins and banknotes where introduced, although...
- South African poundSouth African poundIn 1825, an imperial order-in-council made sterling coinage legal tender in all the British colonies. At that time, the only British colony in Southern Africa was the Cape of Good Hope Colony. As time went on, the British pound sterling and its associated subsidiary coinage became the currency of...
(until 1961, replaced by South African randSouth African randThe rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"...
). The South African pound was also used in BasutolandBasutolandBasutoland or officially the Territory of Basutoland, was a British Crown colony established in 1884 after the Cape Colony's inability to control the territory...
, Bechuanaland, South West AfricaSouth West AfricaSouth-West Africa was the name that was used for the modern day Republic of Namibia during the earlier eras when the territory was controlled by the German Empire and later by South Africa....
and SwazilandSwazilandSwaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
. - South African Republic pond
- South West African poundSouth West African poundThe South West African pound was issued between the 1930s and 1959 by the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Barclays Bank , and Volkskas Limited. These notes circulated along with the South African pound notes of the South African Reserve Bank until 1961, when they were withdrawn and replaced...
- Southern Rhodesian poundSouthern Rhodesian poundThe pound was the currency of Southern Rhodesia. It also circulated in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:...
- Sudanese poundSudanese poundThe Sudanese pound is the currency of Sudan and also used in South Sudan until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency...
(until 1992 and since January 2007) - Tongan poundTongan poundThe pound was the currency of Tonga until 1967. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:Initially, British currency circulated. This was supplemented, from 1921, by banknotes issued by the Tongan government. The notes were marked as sterling and included the rather unusual 4...
(1921–1966 Government of Tonga Treasury notes. 1967 replaced by the pa'anga ($)) - Transvaal pound
- West Indian poundWest Indian poundThe West Indies pound was the currency of several British Caribbean territories until 1949 when it was generally replaced by the West Indian dollar. It was equivalent to the pound sterling and was divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-References:...
(until 1949, replaced by East Caribbean dollarEast Caribbean dollarThe East Caribbean dollar is the currency of eight of the nine members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States...
) - Western Samoan pound
- Zambian poundZambian poundThe pound was the currency in Zambia from independence in 1964 until decimalization on January 16, 1968. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence.-History:The Zambian pound replaced the Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound at par...
(1964 to 1968, replaced by the Zambian kwachaZambian kwachaThe kwacha is the currency of Zambia. It is subdivided into 100 ngwee.-Etymology:The name derives from the Nyanja and Bemba word for "dawn", alluding to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom"...
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Currencies of the former British colonies in America
All of the following currencies have been replaced by the US dollar.- Connecticut poundConnecticut poundThe pound was the currency of Connecticut until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated along with foreign currencies. This was supplemented by local paper money from 1709. Although the local currency was denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, it was worth less than sterling, with 1...
(ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
) - Delaware poundDelaware poundThe pound was the currency of Delaware until 1793. Initially, the British pound and foreign coins circulated. This was supplemented from 1723 by local paper money...
(DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
) - Georgia poundGeorgia poundThe pound was the currency of Georgia until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated. This was supplemented from 1735 with local paper money denominated in sterling, with 1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence....
(GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
) - Maryland poundMaryland poundThe pound was the currency of Maryland until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated along with foreign coins. From 1733, this was supplemented by paper money, known as "Proclamation Money". Although this was denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, they were worth less than sterling, with...
(MarylandMarylandMaryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
) - Massachusetts poundMassachusetts poundThe pound was the currency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its colonial predecessors until 1793. Like the British pound sterling of that era, the Massachusetts pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence, but the Massachusetts and British pounds were not equivalent in value...
(MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
) - New Hampshire poundNew Hampshire poundThe pound was the currency of New Hampshire until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated, supplemented from 1709 by local paper money. These notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence but were worth less than sterling, with 1 New Hampshire shilling = 9 pence sterling...
(New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
) - New Jersey poundNew Jersey poundThe pound was the currency of New Jersey until 1793. Initially, the British pound and some foreign currencies circulated, supplemented from 1709 by local paper money. However, although the notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, they were worth less than sterling, with 1 New Jersey...
(New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
) - New York poundNew York poundThe pound was the currency of New York until 1793. Initially, the British pound and some foreign currencies circulated, supplemented by local paper money from 1709...
(New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) - North Carolina poundNorth Carolina poundThe pound was the currency of North Carolina until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated, supplemented from 1709 by local paper money. Although these notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, they were worth less than sterling, with 1 North Carolina shilling = 9 pence sterling....
(North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
) - Pennsylvania poundPennsylvania poundThe pound was the currency of Pennsylvania until 1793. It was created as a response to the global economic downturn caused by the collapse of the South Sea Company. Initially, the British pound and certain foreign coins circulated, supplemented from 1723 by local paper money, called Colonial Scrip...
(PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
) - Rhode Island poundRhode Island poundThe pound was the currency of Rhode Island until 1793. Initially, the British pound and foreign coins circulated, supplemented by local paper money from 1710. Although these notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, they were worth less than sterling, with 1 Rhode Island shilling = 9...
(Rhode IslandRhode IslandThe state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
) - South Carolina poundSouth Carolina poundThe pound was the currency of South Carolina until 1793. Initially, the British pound circulated, supplemented from 1703 by local paper money. Although these notes were denominated in pounds, shillings and pence, they were worth less than sterling, with 1 South Carolina shilling = 8 pence sterling....
(South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
) - Virginia poundVirginia poundThe pound was the currency of Virginia until 1793. Initially, the British pound sterling circulated along with foreign currencies, supplemented from 1755 by local paper money...
(VirginiaVirginiaThe Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
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See also
- Italian liraItalian liraThe lira was the currency of Italy between 1861 and 2002. Between 1999 and 2002, the Italian lira was officially a “national subunit” of the euro...
, based on the Italian word for "pound" - Turkish liraTurkish liraThe Turkish lira is the currency of Turkey and the de facto independent state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş...
- LivreLivréLivré-la-Touche is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France. Prior to October 6, 2008, it was known as Livré....
, French for "pound" - PesoPesoThe word peso was the name of a coin that originated in Spain and became of immense importance internationally...
, Spanish for "weight" - Roman currencyRoman currencyThe Roman currency during most of the Roman Republic and the western half of the Roman Empire consisted of coins including the aureus , the denarius , the sestertius , the dupondius , and the as...
, from which the pound is derived - British banknotes – information on the banknotes issued and used in Britain