British Pound Sterling

The British Pound Sterling (GBP) is the official currency of United Kingdom. With the symbol £, it is managed by the Bank of England. The currency was introduced in Anglo-Saxon era (~775 AD) and is subdivided into 100 Penny. It's commonly known by its nickname "Quid, Sterling".

Rates updated Sep 21, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC. Over the last 90 days, 1 GBP ranged from 1.3182 to 1.3646 USD (+1.41%).

Currency Name

British Pound Sterling

Currency Code

GBP

Symbol

£

Country

United Kingdom

Central Bank

Bank of England

Introduced

Anglo-Saxon era (~775 AD)

Subunit

1/100 Penny

ISO Numeric Code

826

The Pound Sterling is the world's oldest currency still in use, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. Originally, one pound of silver was literally equal to one pound in weight of silver pennies. The Bank of England, founded in 1694, is the second oldest central bank in the world.

GBP is the fourth most traded currency globally and a major reserve currency. London remains one of the world's largest financial centers, and the pound plays a crucial role in global finance and trade.

The British Pound is the official currency of the United Kingdom and its territories. It remains highly influential in global finance, with London being a major hub for forex trading, banking, and investment.

• 1The pound is the oldest currency still in use
• 2The term 'quid' may derive from the Latin 'quid pro quo'
• 3Polymer banknotes were introduced in 2016 for durability