Click on the Map for a larger view

The first Spaniards explored Peru in the 1520s, and in 1533 the Inca Empire of Peru fell to the Spanish conquistadores. Lima was founded in 1835, and the Spanish set up the Vice Royalty of Peru in 1542 after discovering the region was rich in silver. Peru gained its independence on July 28, 1821 when Lima was liberated by General Jose San Marin. In 1836, Andrés de Santa Cruz, President of Bolivia, attempted to confederate Peru and Bolivia. The South Peruvian state was proclaimed on March 17, 1836 and the North Peruvian State on August 11, 1836. The Confederation between Peru and Bolivia ceased on February 20, 1839. Peru was reconstituted on August 25, 1838. Chile occupied Peru from September 28, 1881 until October 23, 1883.

In 1565 King Philip II authorized a mint for Lima. The first silver coins were struck in Lima between 1568 and 1570, and the first gold Doubloons in 1675. After gaining its independence, Peru adopted the Peso following the Spanish monetary system. Between 1835 and 1839 Lima issued coins for the North Peru Republic and Cuzco and Arequipa issued coins for South Peru. In 1858 the coinage was decimalized, though 12.5 Centimos (1 Real) coins were issued. This system lasted until 1861.

The Silver Sol (PES) replaced the silver Peso on February 14, 1863, linking the Sol to the French Franc Germinal at the rate of 1 Sol equal to 5 Francs Germinal. Coins were issued by both North Peru and South Peru during the confederacy with Bolivia between 1836 and 1838. On March 23, 1880, the Inca, equivalent to 5 Pesetas was introduced. Coins were minted and on October 18, 1880, an issue of 5 million Incas in banknote was authorized. During the Chilean occupation, the capital was moved to Ayacucho, and Inca banknotes (PER), were set equal to 10 Soles or 100 Reales de Inca. The banknotes were withdrawn in 1882.

On December 14, 1901, Peru went on the Gold Standard, introducing the Libra (PEL) at par with the British Pound Sterling and equal to 10 Soles de Oro. Peru issued gold coins, mainly for international consumption, from 1898 to 1969. The Sol was reintroduced as the primary currency on May 18, 1932 when Peru left the gold standard and depreciated the currency. The Sol was divisible into 10 Dineros or 100 Centavos. The inflation of the 1980s forced Peru into two currency reforms. The Inti replaced the Sol on February 1, 1985 at the rate of 1 Inti equal to 1000 Pesos. The Sol Nuevo replaced the Inti on July 1, 1991 at the rate of 1 Sol Nuevo equal to 1,000,000 Inti. The Nuevo Sol is divisible into 100 Centimes.

The government issued banknotes until 1922 when the Banco de Reserva del Peru was established. The Banco de Reserva del Peru was reconstituted as the Banco Central de Reserva del Peru in 1931 and became the sole note-issuing authority.

Here is a note dated 1975 and valued at 10 Soles de Oro. The note is red-orange on multicolored underprint. The obverse features Garcilaso Inca de la Vega to the right, a local building ont he left and coat of arms in the center. Garcilaso was born as Gómez Suárez de Figueroa on April 12, 1539 and died on April 23, 1616. The reverse depicts Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. This note carries 3 different signature varieties, the note show is one of the 3. The note is labled as Series I on the obverse.

• Krause# Pick-106

Here is a 10 Soles de Oro dated 1976. The note is red-orange on multicolored underprint. the obverse shows a building to the left and to the right, Garcilaso Inca de la Vega, who was an illustrious Peruvian historian and acclaimed writer and is recognized primarily for his contributions to Inca history, culture, and society. The reverse shows Lake Titicaca with boats.

• Krause# Pick-112

This banknote is a 500 Soles de Oro note dated 1976. The note is green, blue and yellow. The onbverse features José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzáles ( a Peruvian military aviator and national aviation hero, dieing during the battle of Zarumilla in the Ecuadorian–Peruvian war) to the right and the national Coat-of-Arms in the center. The reverse depicts a logging scene.

• Krause# Pick-115

New banknotes - Intis 1985

This note is a 50 Intis dated 1987. The note is black, orange and green on multicolored underprint. The obverse of the note features Nicolas de Pierola, whose full name is Don José Nicolás Baltasar Fernández de Piérola y Villena, was a prominent Peruvian politician, the Finance Minister and twice President of the Republic of Peru. The reverse shows a drilling rig. The watermark for this note is the same as the portrait.

• Krause# Pick-131b

Here is a 100 Intis note dated 1987. The note is black and dark brown on multicolored underprint, with additional pink and light green verticle underprint to the right behind the denomination. The obverse features Ramon Castilla, whose full name is Ramón Castilla y Marquesado, was a Peruvian caudillo and President of Peru four times. He led the country when the economy boomed due to the exploitation of guano deposits. Castilla's government abolished slavery and modernized the state. the reverse depicts woman workers by a cotton spinner. This notes watermark is the same as its portrait.

• Krause# Pick-133

Here is a 500 Intis note dated 1987. The note is deep brown-violet and olive brown on multicolored underprint. Jose Cabriel Condorcanqui Tupac Amaru II is presented on the obverse along with an ornate red-orange verticle strip at the left end with an added security thread underneath. The reverse shows a climber hiking among the mountains.

• Krause# Pick-134b

This is a 1000 Intis note dated 1988. The note is deep green, olive-brown and red on multicolored underprint. The obverse features Mariscal Andres Caceres, also known as Andrés Avelino Cáceres Dorregaray, was President of Peru in the nineteenth century three times and is considered a national hero in Peru. The reverse depict the ruins of Chan Chan. This note has a watermark like that of the portrait.

• Krause# Pick-136b

Here is a 5000 Intis note dated 1988. The note is purple, deep brown and red-orange on multicolored underprint. The obverse features Miguel Grau, also known as Grand Admiral Miguel María Grau Seminario, was a renowned Peruvian naval officer and hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). He was known as the "Knight of the Seas" for his chivalry and is held in high esteem by both colleagues and opponents. The reverse depicts some fishermen repairing nets. The watermark on this note is the same as the portrait.

• Krause# Pick-137

Here is a 1988 dated 10,000 Intis note. The note is aqua, blue andorange on light green and multicolored underprint. The obverse features Cesar Vallejo to the right ans coat of arms in the center. Cesar is considered by many to be one of the great poetic innovators of the 20th century. The serial on the obverse is black and red with increasing sized numbers. The reverse depicts a scene from Santiago de Chuco, the capital city of the province with the same name. The watermakr on this note is that of Cesar Vallejo.

• Krause# Pick-140