Peruvian libra

The libra, also known as the libra peruana de oro ("Peruvian gold pound"), was a unit of currency issued in Peru between 1898 and 1931. It was equivalent to 10 soles and was issued in the form of gold coins and banknotes, which circulated alongside coins denominated in centavos and soles. The gold libra was equal to the British sovereign.

File:Peru half Libra Peruana de oro banknote of 1922.jpg

Peru half Libra Peruana de oro banknote of 1922

History

The first libra coins were minted in 1898, to the same standard as the British sovereign (113 grains of pure gold). In 1901, Peru adopted a gold standard based on the libra worth 10 soles. The gold standard was maintained until 1932 (see Peruvian sol for more details). Coins were issued until 1930, banknotes until 1933.

Coins

Three denominations were minted. The 1 libra was for issued circulation between 1898 and 1930, the ½ libra between 1902 and 1913, and the ​¹⁄₅ libra between 1905 and 1930.

Banknotes

Between 1914 and 1918, Cheques Circulares were issued redeemable by six banks for ½, 1, 5 and 10 libras. The Reserve Bank of Peru took over the production of paper money in 1922, introducing notes for the same denominations as the earlier cheques. In 1933, some of these notes, together with unissued notes dated 1926, were overstamped by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru with their values in soles.