Currencies/Argentine sol
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Introduction
The sol was a currency unit used in Argentina during the 19th century. It circulated alongside the real and was considered equal in value, with 1 sol = 1 real. The sol formed part of Argentina’s transitional monetary system prior to the introduction of the peso moneda nacional in 1881.
History
The sol was issued during the early national period, when Argentina continued many aspects of the Spanish colonial monetary structure. From 1822, the real was subdivided into 10 décimos, and the sol held exactly the same value, being interchangeable in daily commerce.
Both units coexisted until the major monetary reform of 5 November 1881, when Argentina replaced the real/sol system with the peso moneda nacional. Under this reform, 8 reales (or 8 soles) = 1 peso moneda nacional.
Coins
Coins denominated in soles were struck in silver and copper, corresponding to the same values as reales: ½ sol, 1 sol, 2 sols, 4 sols, and 8 sols. In practice, coins of sol and real were equivalent and often treated as interchangeable depending on region or issue.
Currency
The Argentine system during the sol era can be expressed as
1 sol = 1 real
8 soles (reales) = 1 peso
16 soles (reales) = 1 escudo
This demonstrates the sol’s role as an alternate name for the real within Argentina’s pre-decimal monetary structure.
Replacement
With the introduction of the peso moneda nacional in 1881, the sol ceased to exist as a separate unit. It was absorbed into the decimal system, with 100 centavos = 1 peso, ending the long circulation of the real/sol currency units.