The nuevo sol (plural: nuevos soles) (S/.) is the currency of Peru. It is subdivided into 100 céntimos. The ISO 4217 currency code is PEN.
The name is a return to that of Peru's historic currency, the sol in use from the 19th century to 1985. Although the derivation of sol is from the Latin solidus, the name means sun in Spanish. There is a continuity therefore with the old Peruvian inti, which was named after Inti, the Sun God of the Incas.
Coins
The current coins were introduced in 1991 in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 céntimos and 1 nuevo sol. The 2 and 5 nuevos soles coins were added in 1994. Although 1 and 5 céntimo coins are officially in circulation, they are very rarely used. An aluminium 1 céntimo coin was introduced in December 2005, and a 5 céntimos coin in 2007.
Banknotes
In 1991, banknotes for 10, 20, 50 and 100 nuevos soles were introduced. The banknote for 200 nuevos soles was subsequently introduced in August 1995. All are of the same size (140 x 65 mm).
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