Argentine real

Infobox Currency
currency_name_in_local = real argentino es icon
image_1 =
image_title_1 =
image_2 =
image_title_2 =
iso_code =
using_countries = Argentina
inflation_rate =
inflation_source_date =
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/10
subunit_name_1 = decimo
superunit_ratio_1 = 16
superunit_name_1 = escudo
superunit_ratio_2 = 8
superunit_name_2 = peso
symbol = $
used_coins = ½, 1, 2, 4, 8 reales, ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 soles, 1, 2, 4, 8 escudos
used_banknotes = 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 pesos
issuing_authority =
issuing_authority_website =
obsolete_notice = y |The real was the currency of Argentina until 1881. From 1822, it was subdivided into 10 "decimos". The "sol" was also issued during this period and was equal to the real, whilst the "peso" was worth 8 reales and the "escudo" was worth 16 reales.

History

Spanish colonial reales circulated alone until 1813, when Argentina began issuing its own coins. From 1820, paper money was also issued. In 1826, the peso moneda corriente and peso fuerte were introduced in paper money only. In 1854, coins were issued denominated in centavos. However, decimalization did not occur until in 1881, when the real was replaced by the peso moneda nacional at a rate of 8 reales to 1 peso.

Coins

Silver coins were issued in the name of the "Rio de la Plata Province" in denominations of ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 reales and ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 soles, whilst gold coins (87.5%) were issued in denomination of 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos.

The state of Buenos Aires issued its own coins starting in 1822, denominated in reales and "decimos", with 10 decimos = 1 real.Coins were issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 decimos, together with ¼, ½ (actually shown as frac|5|10), 1 and 2 reales. They were all minted of copper. Other provinces issued coins denominated in reales (silver) and escudos (gold): Córdoba, Entre Ríos, La Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. Since these coins were scarce, it was common to use silver coins from other countries (especially Bolivian soles).

In 1854, coins were issued in the name of the "Confederation of Argentina" in denominations of 1, 2 and 4 centavo coins. As notes above, this issue did not lead to full decimalization.

Banknotes

In 1820, the Government of the Province of Buenos Aires introduced notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 and 100 pesos. These were followed in 1823 by 1, 3 and 5 pesos. The "Banco de Buenos Ayres" began issuing notes in 1822 in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos. 1 and 2 pesos notes followed in 1823.

References

*numis cite SCWC|date=1900.1
*numis cite SCWPM|date=1990.s