British Pound
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British Pound
The currency of the United Kingdom. It is the third largest reserve currency in the world. It traces its origins to Anglo-Saxon times and is the oldest currency still in use. It is issued by the Bank of England and the Bank of Scotland. Like most currencies, it was pegged to the U.S. dollar under the Bretton Woods System, but is now a floating currency. The pound did not use a decimal system for its subdivisions until 1971. See also: Decimalisation, Quid.