page_title: Peruvian real
section_title: Coins
hierarchical_section_title: Peruvian real / Coins
caption_attribution_description: Golden coin
context_page_description: The real was the currency of Peru until 1863. Sixteen silver reales equalled one gold escudo. The silver coin of 8 reales was also known as the peso.
context_section_description: During the colonial period, silver coins were minted in denominations of ¼, ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 reales, with gold coins for ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos. In 1822, a provisional coinage was issued in the name of the Republic of Peru in denominations of ¼ real, ⅛ and ¼ peso (equal to 1 and 2 reales) and 8 reales. Except for the silver 8 reales, these coins were minted in copper. From 1826, a regular coinage was issued which consisted of the same silver and gold denominations as had been issued during the colonial period.
  During the period 1836-1839, when Peru was part of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, the States and then Republics of North and South Peru issued their own coins. North Peru issued ½, 1,  and 8 reales, ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos whilst South Peru issued ½, 2, 4 and 8 reales, ½, 1 and 8 escudos.
  In 1856, production of all coins ceased. Smaller ½ and 1 real coins were introduced in 1858 and 1859, respectively, along with 50 centimos in 1858 and then 25 and 50 centavos in 1859. Redesigned 4 and 8 reales coins were minted in 1862 and 1863. This transitional phase of coinage was replaced by a fully decimalized system in 1863.
caption: Gold 8 escudos from South Peru. Left: Reverse with coat of arms of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation. Right: Obverse with the image of Sacsayhuamán, the denomination 8E and the state motto: "Firme por la Unión".
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