Start / Learn Spanish and Go / Dolar o peso la historia y uso del signo dollar or peso the history and use of the symbol

Learn Spanish and Go

¿Dolar o Peso? La Historia y Uso del Signo - Dollar or Peso? The History and Use of the Symbol

22 min • 27 maj 2025

Have you ever wondered why the dollar sign is used for both U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos? We’ve had students ask if ATMs in Mexico give out dollars or pesos, all because of that same “$” symbol. In this episode, we break down the real history behind the sign—from colonial-era Spanish pesos to silver mines and the American Revolution—and reveal how the U.S. didn’t create the symbol, but actually adopted it from Latin America.

Key Takeaways:

  • The “$” symbol likely originated from the abbreviation “PS” for pesos, not from U.S. dollars.
  • Mexico—and many other countries—used the symbol before the U.S. did.
  • While the symbol is shared globally, each currency it represents is distinct and independent.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

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