Understanding currency symbols is essential for international business, travel, and finance. This guide provides a detailed overview of currency symbols from around the world, helping you navigate global monetary systems with confidence.
Major Global Currencies
Before diving into regional currencies, let’s explore some of the world’s most traded and recognized currencies:
- United States Dollar ($) – The world’s primary reserve currency, used in international trade and commodity pricing
- Euro (€) – The official currency of the European Union, representing one of the largest economic zones
- British Pound Sterling (£) – One of the oldest currencies still in use, known for its stability
- Japanese Yen (¥) – A major Asian currency and significant player in international forex markets
- Swiss Franc (CHF) – Considered a safe-haven currency during economic uncertainty
Countries and Their Currency Symbol
European Currencies
The European continent hosts various currencies, with the Euro being predominant:
- Euro (€) – Used by 20 EU member states
- British Pound Sterling (£) – United Kingdom
- Swiss Franc (CHF) – Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- Norwegian Krone (kr) – Norway
- Swedish Krona (kr) – Sweden
- Danish Krone (kr) – Denmark
- Polish Złoty (zł) – Poland
Asian Currencies
Asia’s diverse economies utilize various currency symbols:
- Japanese Yen (¥) – Japan
- Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (¥) – China
- Indian Rupee (₹) – India
- South Korean Won (₩) – South Korea
- Singapore Dollar (S$) – Singapore
- Thai Baht (฿) – Thailand
- Vietnamese Dong (₫) – Vietnam
Middle Eastern Currencies
The Middle East features several distinctive currency symbols:
- Saudi Riyal (﷼) – Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates Dirham (د.إ) – UAE
- Israeli New Shekel (₪) – Israel
- Turkish Lira (₺) – Turkey
- Kuwaiti Dinar (د.ك) – Kuwait
North & South American Currencies
The Americas use various dollar symbols and unique currency identifiers:
- Canadian Dollar (C$) – Canada
- Mexican Peso (Mex$) – Mexico
- Brazilian Real (R$) – Brazil
- Argentine Peso ($) – Argentina
- Chilean Peso ($) – Chile
- Colombian Peso (COL$) – Colombia
Oceania Currencies
The Pacific region maintains distinct currency systems:
- Australian Dollar (A$) – Australia
- New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) – New Zealand
- Fijian Dollar (FJ$) – Fiji
- Papua New Guinea Kina (K) – Papua New Guinea
African Currencies
Africa’s currencies reflect its diverse nations:
Here’s a list of African countries and their currency symbols:
- Algeria: DZD (دج)
- Angola: AOA (Kz)
- Benin: XOF (CFA)
- Botswana: BWP (P)
- Burkina Faso: XOF (CFA)
- Burundi: BIF (FBu)
- Cape Verde: CVE ($ or Esc)
- Cameroon: XAF (CFA)
- Chad: XAF (CFA)
- Comoros: KMF (CF)
- Congo (Republic of): XAF (CFA)
- Congo (Democratic Republic): CDF (FC)
- Djibouti: DJF (Fdj)
- Egypt: EGP (£ or ج.م)
- Equatorial Guinea: XAF (CFA)
- Eswatini (Swaziland): SZL (E)
- Ethiopia: ETB (ብር)
- Gabon: XAF (CFA)
- Gambia: GMD (D)
- Ghana: GHS (₵)
- Guinea: GNF (FG)
- Guinea-Bissau: XOF (CFA)
- Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire): XOF (CFA)
- Kenya: KES (KSh)
- Lesotho: LSL (M)
- Liberia: LRD ($)
- Libya: LYD (ل.د)
- Madagascar: MGA (Ar)
- Malawi: MWK (MK)
- Mali: XOF (CFA)
- Mauritania: MRU (UM)
- Mauritius: MUR (₨)
- Morocco: MAD (د.م.)
- Mozambique: MZN (MT)
- Namibia: NAD ($)
- Niger: XOF (CFA)
- Nigeria: NGN (₦)
- Rwanda: RWF (FRw)
- São Tomé and Príncipe: STN (Db)
- Senegal: XOF (CFA)
- Seychelles: SCR (₨)
- Sierra Leone: SLL (Le)
- Somalia: SOS (Sh)
- South Africa: ZAR (R)
- South Sudan: SSP (£)
- Sudan: SDG (ج.س)
- Tanzania: TZS (TSh)
- Togo: XOF (CFA)
- Tunisia: TND (د.ت)
- Uganda: UGX (USh)
- Zambia: ZMW (ZK)
- Zimbabwe: ZWL ($)
FAQs
1. What currency symbol is €?
The € symbol represents the Euro, the official currency of the Eurozone, which includes 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It was introduced in 1999 for electronic payments and 2002 for physical cash.
2. What does C$ mean in currency?
C$ represents the Canadian Dollar, the official currency of Canada. It’s used to distinguish it from other dollar currencies, particularly the US Dollar ($).
3. What is € called?
The € symbol is called the Euro symbol or Euro sign. It was designed to represent Europe’s currency unity, with the ‘E’ shape crossed by two parallel lines symbolizing stability.
Reference:
Note: Currency exchange rates and usage may vary. Always verify current rates and acceptability when conducting international transactions.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currency_symbol
Also see; Unit converters