Peruvian real

Peruvian real
real peruano (Spanish)
100-peso banknote obverse (1867) 8-escudo coin (1863)
Denominations
Superunit
16	escudo
8	peso
Plural	reales
Demographics
Date of withdrawal	1863
Replaced by	Peruvian sol
User(s)	Peru
Valuation
Value	10 reales = 1 sol
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

The real was the currency of Peru until 1863. Sixteen silver reales equalled one gold escudo. The silver coin of 8 reales was also known as the peso.

Initially, the Spanish colonial real was minted. This was replaced by Peruvian currency following liberation in 1826, although the first issues of the Peruvian Republic were made in 1822. The real was replaced in 1863 by the sol at a rate of 1 sol = 10 reales.

During the colonial period, silver coins were minted in denominations of ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 reales, with gold coins for ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos. In 1822, a provisional coinage was issued in the name of the Republic of Peru in denominations of ¼ real, ⅛ and ¼ peso (equal to 1 and 2 reales) and 8 reales. Except for the silver 8 reales, these coins were minted in copper. From 1826, a regular coinage was issued which consisted of the same silver and gold denominations as had been issued during the colonial period.

During the period 1836-1839, when Peru was part of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, the States and then Republics of North and South Peru issued their own coins. North Peru issued ½, 1, and 8 reales, ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos whilst South Peru issued ½, 2, 4 and 8 reales, ½, 1 and 8 escudos.

In 1856, production of all coins ceased. Smaller ½ and 1 real coins were introduced in 1858 and 1859, respectively, along with 50 centimos in 1858 and then 25 and 50 centavos in 1859. Redesigned 4 and 8 reales coins were minted in 1862 and 1863. This transitional phase of coinage was replaced by a fully decimalized system in 1863.

Under the Protectoral Decree of General José de San Martín on December 14, 1821, the Emisión Bank was created, better known as the Bank of Emancipation (Banco de la Emancipación). It started to operate on February 7, 1822 but was closed by a decree of President José de la Riva Agüero on June 4, 1823, with public burning of the bills. The bank issued notes for 2 and 4 reales and 1 peso (8 reales).

The first private bank founded in Peru was the Banco La Providencia in September 1862. Between July 1863 and 1866, notes were issued for 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 pesos. After 1867, the notes for 25 and 100 pesos were exchanged for 20 and 80 soles respectively.