How can travelers tell if prices are in dollars or pesos?

Have you ever wondered why the dollar sign is used for both U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos? We’ve had students ask if ATMs in Mexico give out dollars or pesos, all because of that same “$” symbol. In this episode, we break down the real history behind the sign—from colonial-era Spanish pesos to silver mines and the American Revolution—and reveal how the U.S. didn’t create the symbol, but actually adopted it from Latin America.

Key Takeaways:

• The “$” symbol likely originated from the abbreviation “PS” for pesos, not from U.S. dollars.
• Mexico—and many other countries—used the symbol before the U.S. did.
• While the symbol is shared globally, each currency it represents is distinct and independent.

Relevant Links And Additional Resources:

• Boost your confidence in real-life Spanish conversations with our Spanish Immersion Retreats
• Level up your Spanish with our Podcast Membership
  • Get the full transcript of each episode so you don’t miss a word
  • Listen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrases
  • Test your comprehension with a multiple choice quiz

If you enjoy Learn Spanish and Go, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing our podcast on Apple 

Support the show