Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
S/ · Official currency of Peru
PEN at a glance
Every fact on this page is drawn from Central Reserve Bank of Peru or another primary source — see the 5 sources cited below.
| Currency | Peruvian Nuevo Sol |
|---|---|
| ISO 4217 code | PEN · number 604 |
| Symbol | S/ |
| Minor unit | 1 PEN = 100 céntimo |
| Used in | 1 country or territory |
| Pegged to | Not pegged |
| Central bank | Central Reserve Bank of Peru |
| Official rates | Central Reserve Bank of Peru → |
| Introduced | 1991 |
Where the Peruvian Nuevo Sol is used
- Peru
Exchange rate regime Free float
Peru operates a floating exchange rate: the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) publishes no fixed rate or band for the sol, anchoring monetary policy instead through an explicit inflation target of 1 to 3 percent. The BCRP nonetheless participates routinely in the foreign exchange market — through spot dollar purchases and sales, FX swaps, and dollar-indexed certificates of deposit (CD BCRP) — disclosing these operations in its weekly reports rather than defending any particular exchange-rate level.
About the Peruvian Nuevo Sol
The Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN) is the official currency of Peru, issued by the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) and written with the symbol S/. Renamed simply the Sol on 15 December 2015, one sol divides into 100 céntimos. Peru's ISO 4217 alphabetic code is PEN and its numeric code is 604. The BCRP conducts monetary policy under an explicit inflation-targeting framework, and no other country uses the sol as its official currency.
Beyond the float itself, the BCRP's weekly reports quantify the scale of that market activity: in the year to 24 July 2026, spot dollar purchases totaled about US$4.1 billion, dollar-indexed CD BCRP issuance reached about US$4.2 billion, net FX swap placements totaled about US$1.7 billion, and FX swap sales auctioned reached about US$5.0 billion. The bank publishes each figure as routine liquidity and volatility management, not as defense of a particular sol/dollar level.
Peru's currency has been renamed twice under law. Law No. 25295 introduced the Nuevo Sol on 1 July 1991, replacing the Inti, itself successor to an earlier Sol de Oro; the Central Reserve Bank of Peru states both predecessor units are withdrawn from circulation and no longer legal tender. Law No. 30381 subsequently dropped the word "nuevo," and the BCRP has called the unit simply the Sol since 15 December 2015.
The BCRP manages Peru's international reserves under a constitutional mandate prioritizing security, liquidity, and then profitability. The bank states that reserves guarantee foreign-currency availability in unusual situations and help stabilize financial markets during external shocks, while also strengthening the country's creditworthiness in international capital markets. Reserve assets span nine categories, including precious metals, foreign currency, and securities, held across an investment portfolio divided into four tranches by funding source and liquidity need.
The BCRP's current banknotes are S/ 10, S/ 20, S/ 50, S/ 100 and S/ 200, each portraying a Peruvian figure — including air-force hero José Abelardo Quiñones on the S/ 10 and Saint Rose of Lima, patroness of the Americas, on the S/ 200 — alongside national landmarks such as Machu Picchu. Six coins circulate: 10, 20 and 50 céntimos and S/ 1, S/ 2 and S/ 5, the last two bearing Nazca-lines designs of a hummingbird and a frigate bird.
PEN coins & banknotes
- 10 céntimos
- 20 céntimos
- 50 céntimos
- S/ 1
- S/ 2
- S/ 5
- S/ 10
- S/ 20
- S/ 50
- S/ 100
- S/ 200
PEN quick facts
- Every Peruvian coin carries the same obverse regardless of value: the National Coat of Arms, the words "Banco Central de Reserva del Perú," and the mint year.
- The alpaca-alloy S/ 1 coin's reverse pairs laurel and oak leaves with the National Mint's logo, a different motif from the Nazca-lines coins.
- The BCRP has revised banknote reverse art while keeping the same portrait: the S/ 50 note has shown both Chavín de Huántar and the Huacachina lagoon.
- Beyond circulating coins, the BCRP issues numismatic series such as "Wealth and Pride of Peru" and "Natural Resources of Peru."
- The bimetallic S/ 2 and S/ 5 coins carry Nazca-lines designs: a hummingbird on the S/ 2 and a frigate bird on the S/ 5.
PEN frequently asked questions
Is the Peruvian sol pegged to the US dollar?
No. The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) publishes no fixed exchange rate or band for the sol; monetary policy is instead anchored by an explicit inflation target of 1 to 3 percent. The BCRP does routinely intervene in the foreign exchange market — through spot dollar purchases and sales, FX swaps, and dollar-indexed certificates of deposit — reporting these operations weekly, including about US$4.1 billion in 2026 year-to-date spot purchases as of late July 2026.
What is the symbol for the Peruvian sol?
The Peruvian sol uses the symbol S/, placed before the amount, as in S/ 10. One sol divides into 100 céntimos. The currency's ISO 4217 alphabetic code is PEN and its numeric code is 604. It was officially called the Nuevo Sol until 15 December 2015, when Law No. 30381 renamed it simply the Sol.
Who issues the Peruvian sol?
The Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) issues the sol. Its current banknote family comprises S/ 10, S/ 20, S/ 50, S/ 100 and S/ 200 notes, and six coins circulate — 10, 20 and 50 céntimos plus S/ 1, S/ 2 and S/ 5 — each carrying a national design such as a historic site or a portrait of a notable Peruvian.
Why was the sol renamed from "Nuevo Sol" to "Sol"?
The word "nuevo" ("new") in Nuevo Sol marked its introduction in 1991 as the successor to the Inti. Law No. 30381 later dropped the word, and the Central Reserve Bank of Peru has called the unit simply the Sol since 15 December 2015, with the same symbol, S/, and the same banknote and coin denominations continuing in use.
Explore PEN
Facts on this page are sourced from Central Reserve Bank of Peru and other primary references (5 sources). Rates are mid-market and for information only.
Sources for this PEN profile
5 primary sources behind the facts above, each listed with the sections of this page it is cited for. Links open on the publisher's own site.
- Central Reserve Bank of Peru www.bcrp.gob.pe/eng-docs/Publications/Weekly-Reports/2026/weekly-report-2026-07-30.pdf Cited for: Exchange rate regime · About · FAQ
- Central Reserve Bank of Peru www.bcrp.gob.pe/en/monetary-policy.html Cited for: Exchange rate regime · About · FAQ
- Central Reserve Bank of Peru www.bcrp.gob.pe/en/banknotes-and-coins/coins.html Cited for: Coins & banknotes · Minor unit · Introduced · About · Quick facts · FAQ
- Central Reserve Bank of Peru www.bcrp.gob.pe/en/banknotes-and-coins/family-of-banknotes.html Cited for: Coins & banknotes · About · Quick facts · FAQ
- Central Reserve Bank of Peru www.bcrp.gob.pe/en/reserves-management/general-aspects.html Cited for: About