Chilean peso
|
Chilean notes currently in circulation: 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20,000 pesos |
The
peso is the
currency of
Chile. The symbol used locally for it is
$. Its
ISO 4217 code is "CLP".
The first Chilean peso was introduced in 1817, at a value of 8
Spanish colonial reales. Until 1851, it circulated alongside silver coins denominated in reales and gold coins denominated in
escudos (worth 2 pesos).
In 1835, copper coins of denominations ½ and 1 centavo were introduced but it was not until 1851 that the real and escudo denominations ceased to be issued and further issues in centavos and décimos (worth 10 centavos) commenced. From 1925, coins and banknotes were issued denominated in
cóndores, worth 10 pesos.
The
escudo replaced the peso on
January 1,
1960 at a rate 1 escudo = 1000 peso.
The current peso was introduced in 1975, replacing the escudo at a rate of 1 peso = 1000 escudos. It was divided into 100
centavos until
1984.
The currency circulates as
coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, and
banknotes of 500 (although these are no longer printed), 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 pesos. At first, there were 50 and 100 pesos banknotes (retired in 1982 and 1984 respectively). All banknotes are printed on paper with the exception of the 2000 peso note which has been issued as a plastic
polymer banknote since September 2004.
*
Banco Central de Chile*
Casa de Moneda (The Chilean
Mint)
