# Argentine peso ley

The peso ley 18.188 (ARY; unofficially ARL; peso ley dieciocho mil ciento ochenta y ocho), usually known as either peso or, to distinguish it from the earlier peso moneda nacional, informally as peso ley, was the currency of Argentina between January 1, 1970, and May 5, 1983. It was subdivided into 100 centavos. Its symbol was $L, sometimes $. Its name comes from law 18188 which established it, effective April 5, 1969.

## History

The peso ley replaced the peso moneda nacional at a rate of 100 to 1. It was itself replaced by the peso argentino at a rate of 10,000 to 1.
The history of the various successive Argentine currencies called peso is detailed in the article on the Argentine peso.

## Coins

In 1970 coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos. As inflation eroded the currency's value, higher denominations were introduced: 1 peso in 1974, 5 and 10 pesos in 1976, and 50 and 100 pesos in 1978.

### Centavo

| Value | Obverse | Emission start date | Withdrawn | Composition | Diameter |
| 1 | Liberty | 1 Jan 1970 | 31 Oct 1979 | Aluminium | 16mm |
| 5 | Liberty | 18 May 1970 | 31 Oct 1979 | Aluminium | 18mm |
| 10 | Liberty | 1 Jan 1970 | 31 Oct 1979 | Brass | 17mm |
| 20 | Liberty | 18 May 1970 | 31 Oct 1979 | Brass | 19mm |
| 50 | Liberty | 1 Jan 1970 | 31 Oct 1979 | Brass | 21mm |

### Peso

| Value | Obverse | Emission start date | Withdrawn | Composition | Diameter |
| 1 | Sun | 1 Oct 1974 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 23mm |
| 5 | Sun | 12 Apr 1976 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 24mm |
| 5 | Guillermo Brown | 1977 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 24mm |
| 10 | Sun | 12 Jul 1976 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 26mm |
| 10 | Guillermo Brown | 1977 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 26mm |
| 50 | José de San Martín Bicentennial | 1 Aug 1978 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 27mm |
| 50 | Conquest of the Desert centennial | 1979 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 27mm |
| 50 | José de San Martín | 1979 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Brass | 27mm |
| 50 | José de San Martín | 1980 | 2 Jan 1984 | Brass-Clad Steel | 27mm |
| 100 | José de San Martín Bicentennial | 1 Aug 1978 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Bronze | 28mm |
| 100 | Conquest of the Desert centennial | 1979 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Bronze | 28mm |
| 100 | José de San Martín | 1979 | 2 Jan 1984 | Aluminium-Bronze | 28mm |
| 100 | José de San Martín | 1980 | 2 Jan 1984 | Brass-Clad Steel | 28mm |

## Banknotes

Banknotes were issued in the following denominations:
| Value | Portrait | Back | Emission start date | Withdrawn |
| 1 | Manuel Belgrano | Nahuel Huapi Lake | 30 Jan 1970 | 1 Apr 1981 |
| 5 | Manuel Belgrano | National Flag Memorial in Rosario | 24 Nov 1971 | 1 Apr 1981 |
| 10 | Manuel Belgrano | Iguazu Falls | 1 Sep 1970 | 1 Apr 1981 |
| 50 | José de San Martín | Termas de Reyes (Jujuy) | 15 Mar 1972 | 1 Apr 1981 |
| 100 | José de San Martín | Ushuaia | 15 Feb 1971 | 1 Apr 1981 |
| 500 | José de San Martín | Cerro de la Gloria (Mendoza) | 30 Nov 1972 | 2 Apr 1984 |
| 1000 | José de San Martín | Plaza de Mayo (Buenos Aires) | 27 Nov 1973 | 2 Apr 1984 |
| 5000 | José de San Martín | Mar del Plata | 12 Dec 1977 | 2 Apr 1984 |
| 10,000 | José de San Martín | El Palmar National Park (Entre Ríos) | 25 Oct 1976 | 19 Jul 1985 |
| 50,000 | José de San Martín | Argentine Central Bank | 19 Feb 1979 | 19 Jul 1985 |
| 100,000 | José de San Martín | National Mint House | 1 Nov 1979 | 19 Jul 1985 |
| 500,000 | José de San Martín | Buenos Aires foundation | 28 Jul 1980 | 19 Jul 1985 |
| 1,000,000 | José de San Martín | May Revolution | 25 Nov 1981 | 19 Jul 1985 |