The official currency of Peru is the sun and its monetary symbol is S/, while its ISO code or official abbreviation is PEN. In this article, we inform you of its equivalence with currencies from other countries. We also tell you the history of this currency and its evolution over time.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

Exchange rate

In the following list you will find the value of the currency of Peru compared to that of other currencies in America and Europe:



  • PEN 1,00 = US $ 0,31 (USD)
  • 1,00 PEN = 3,08 Venezuelan bolivars (VEF)
  • 1,00 PEN = 5,79 Mexican pesos (MSN)
  • 1,00 PEN = 0,29 euros (EUR)
  • 1,00 PEN = 4,74 Argentine pesos (ARS)
  • PEN 1,00 = 2,26 Guatemalan quetzals (GTQ)
  • 1,00 PEN = 202,05 Chilean pesos (CLP)
  • 1,00 PEN = 14,47 Dominican pesos (DOP)
  • PEN 1,00 = 878,70 Colombian pesos (COP)
  • 1,00 PEN = 1.763,14 Paraguayan guaranies (PYG)

Currency exchange

If you want to travel to Peru and need to buy soles, in the country you will find change houses and banks in which to carry out this transaction. You can also withdraw money at an ATM.

However, in your country of origin you can also get soles at any bank, although they usually apply a fee for carrying out this service.

Places to buy Peruvian soles

Collectible coins

The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) has designed four numismatic series made up of limited edition coins that are therefore collectible:

Wealth and Pride of Peru
a total of 26 coins released between 2010 and 2016 showing the country's cultural heritage. The last was the Parabolic Arch of Tacna. Likewise, the one of the Inca Huaytara Temple stands out, as it was the winner of a prize for the best legal currency. Other models are that of Kuntur Wasi, that of the Department of Piura and that of the Archaeological Complex of Tunanmarca.
Natural Resources of Peru
the three specimens are La Anchoveta, El Cacao and La Quinua.
Iberoamerican Series
They are representations that are related to other countries such as Spain. Two examples are the Encounter of Two Worlds (1991) and the Olympic Games (2007).
450 years of the National Mint
It is made up of a common specimen of 1 sol, a silver one that has a value of 106 soles and a gold one that initially costs 2.181 soles

In the following video you can see the first 17 models of the 'Riqueza y Orgullo del Perú' series:



History and current currency

History Peru's coin begins in 1863. Over the years, there are several highlights that we find:

  • In 1863 the sol, the official currency of the country, known as silver sun.
  • In 1879 provisional coins of cupro-nickel were produced, since fractional coins were needed.
  • Between 1897 and 1930 it was replaced by the Peruvian gold pound.
  • In 1931 the sun returned, called at this time Golden Sun.
  • Starting in 1935, the coins became brass. Subsequently, zinc and aluminum-bronze models are made.
  • Between 1985 and 1990 the sun was replaced by the inti, but there is a large devaluation of the currency.
  • In 1991 the sun was taken up under the name of new Sun. In 2015 it returns to its original name.
The new sol: the currency in force in Peru until 2015
Between 1875 and 1879, 1 and 2 cent coins were called Fat for the thickness they had, since they were made of copper.

At present we find coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1, 2 and 5 soles. The one-sol coin is characterized by the fact that the Peru Country Brand logo appears on it.

As for the tickets, there are models of 10, 20, 50 and 100 soles. In 2011 its design was changed and the system was improved to detect if a banknote is true or it is a forgery.

Questions from users

How many coins are there in Peru?

One, because the sun is the only official currency of the country. However, in some establishments it is also possible to pay with US dollars.

What material is the Peruvian currency made of?

The 1 and 5-cent coins are made of brass and aluminum, the 10 and 20-cent coins are made of brass, the 50-cent and 1-cent coins are made of alpaca, and the 2 and 5-soles are made of steel and brass, as they are bimetallic.

By: Eva Gómez
Updated on 07/03/2017

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