List of British currencies Facts for Kids

Have you ever wondered why different places use different money? The United Kingdom (UK) and its many territories around the world use a variety of currencies. This article will help you understand what money is used in these places and who is in charge of making it.

The UK's Money: The Pound Sterling
Overseas Territories Using Other Currencies
- Territories Using the US Dollar
- Territories Using Other Currencies
See also

The UK's Money: The Pound Sterling

The main currency in the UK is the Pound Sterling. It's often just called "the pound."

Where the Pound Sterling is Used

The Bank of England is in charge of making the pound sterling. You'll find this money used in:

Local Pounds in the UK and Crown Dependencies

Some parts of the UK and nearby islands have their own special banknotes or coins. Even though they look different, they are usually worth the same as the regular pound sterling.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, some banks print their own banknotes. These are still pound sterling, but they are issued by private banks, not the Bank of England directly.

Scotland: Local banknotes are printed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank.
Northern Ireland: Local banknotes are printed by the Bank of Ireland, First Trust Bank, Danske Bank, and Ulster Bank.

Crown Dependencies

The crown dependencies are islands close to the UK that govern themselves. They have their own versions of the pound, which are worth the same as the UK pound.

Jersey: Uses the Jersey pound. It's issued by the government of Jersey.
Guernsey (including Alderney, Sark and Herm): Uses the Guernsey pound. It's issued by the government of Guernsey. Alderney also has special commemorative coins called the Alderney pound.
Isle of Man: Uses the Manx pound. It's issued by the Isle of Man Treasury.

Overseas Territories with Their Own Pounds

The UK also has overseas territories far from the UK. Some of these territories have their own currency that is worth the same as the pound sterling.

Falkland Islands: Uses the Falkland Islands pound. It's issued by the Government of the Falkland Islands.
Gibraltar: Uses the Gibraltar pound. It's issued by the Government of Gibraltar. The Euro is also often accepted here.
Saint Helena and Ascension Island: Use the Saint Helenian pound. It's issued by the Government of Saint Helena. The United States dollar is also accepted on Ascension Island.

Overseas Territories Using Other Currencies

Not all UK territories use a form of the pound. Some use other major currencies from around the world.

Territories Using the US Dollar

The United States dollar is a very common currency used in several UK overseas territories. The US Federal Reserve System is in charge of the US dollar.

British Indian Ocean Territory: The US dollar is the main currency used here, even though the pound sterling is officially recognized.
British Virgin Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands: The Bahamian dollar is also accepted here.

Territories Using Other Currencies

Some territories use currencies from nearby countries or economic groups.

Anguilla and Montserrat: Use the Eastern Caribbean dollar. This currency is managed by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. About 2.7 Eastern Caribbean dollars are worth 1 US dollar.
Bermuda: Uses the Bermudian dollar. It's worth the same as the US dollar and is issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
Cayman Islands: Uses the Cayman Islands dollar. It's issued by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. One Cayman Islands dollar is worth about 1.2 US dollars.
Pitcairn Islands: Uses the New Zealand dollar. The US dollar and pound sterling are also widely accepted. The Pitcairn Islands also have special commemorative coins called the Pitcairn Islands dollar, which are worth the same as the New Zealand dollar. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand issues the New Zealand dollar.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia: Uses the Euro. This currency is managed by the European Central Bank.