Peso facts for kids

The eight real coin of Philip V of Spain ('Spanish dollar' or 'piece of eight')

The peso is the monetary unit (coin) of some Spanish-speaking countries. They were once Spanish colonies. They include Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay.

The word means 'weight' in Spanish, or more loosely 'pound'. It was a coin that originated in Habsburg Spain. Also called Spanish dollar, it became an important international currency. Spain brought it to its colonies and minted many pesos in Mexico and Peru. Later, Spain stopped using this name, but some of the former colonies still use it.

Historically, the peso was eight reales, the real de a ocho. This translates to the well-known English term "pieces of eight". It is known in many countries as the "thaler" or "Spanish dollar". It was used as the model for the original United States dollar and many other coins which were also minted in silver.

Relared pages

• Thaler

Images for kids

• 

  A Mexican dollar used as Japanese currency, marked with “Aratame sanbu sadame” (改三分定, “Fixed to the value of 3 bu”), 1859.

• 

  One peso Treasury Certificate

See also

In Spanish: Peso (moneda) para niños