PENPeruvian SolPeruvian Sol (PEN)
The Peruvian sol is Peru's national currency and a major Pacific South American unit for domestic commerce, mining and regional trade.
- ISO code
- PEN
- Symbol
- S/
- Region
- Americas
- Currency type
- Fiat currency
- Exchange system
- PEN has a floating exchange rate, while the Central Reserve Bank of Peru may intervene to reduce excessive volatility. The dated provider rate is separate from those policy operations.
- Last reviewed
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Quick facts
PEN at a glance
Currency profile
How PEN works
The Peruvian sol is Peru's national currency and a major Pacific South American unit for domestic commerce, mining and regional trade.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru issues sol banknotes and coins and conducts monetary and foreign-exchange policy under an autonomous mandate.
- PEN is divided into 100 centimos and replaced the inti after a period of severe inflation.
- The currency was introduced as the nuevo sol in 1991 and its official name was shortened to sol in 2015.
Context
Why this currency matters
PEN is central to understanding Peru's monetary stabilization after the inti and hyperinflation era. The modern sol restored a practical accounting scale and now supports an economy strongly connected to mining and Pacific trade, while its 2015 name change did not create a new currency code or conversion ratio.
Monetary framework
Exchange arrangement
PEN has a floating exchange rate, while the Central Reserve Bank of Peru may intervene to reduce excessive volatility. The dated provider rate is separate from those policy operations.
CurrencyHub shows daily reference rates. Banks, card networks, ATMs and transfer providers may apply different exchange rates, fees or spreads.
History timeline
Key dates for PEN
Inti replaced the old sol
Peru introduced the inti during an earlier currency reform, creating the immediate predecessor to PEN.
Central Reserve Bank of Peru - historyNuevo sol introduced
The nuevo sol replaced one million intis with one new monetary unit.
Central Reserve Bank of Peru - historyOfficial name shortened to sol
Peru removed nuevo from the currency's official name while retaining PEN and the same unit.
Central Reserve Bank of Peru - history
Usage and economy
How PEN is used
- Prices, payroll, taxes and settlement throughout Peru.
- Andean and South American comparisons involving COP, BRL, CLP and USD.
Country currency guides
Banknotes and coins
PEN currency units
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru publishes current sol banknote denominations and security features.
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru documents sol and centimo circulation coins.
One Peruvian Sol unit is recorded with 2 decimal places and uses Centimo as its minor unit.
Related currencies
Currency relationships
Explore currencies connected through regional use, trade comparisons or monetary relationships.
FAQ
PEN questions
What currency did PEN replace?
The modern sol replaced the inti in 1991 at one sol for one million intis.
Did the 2015 name change create a new currency?
No. Nuevo sol became sol in official naming, but PEN and the monetary unit continued without redenomination.
Why is PEN important in South America?
PEN supports Peru's mining, agriculture, tourism and Pacific trade economy and is widely compared with neighboring currencies.
Sources
Data and editorial review
Rate source: Frankfurter
Last reviewed:
Currency identity and cash information is checked against central-bank, government, ISO and official international sources.