# Uruguayan peso

> currency of Uruguay

**Wikidata**: [Q209272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q209272)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguayan_peso)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/uruguayan-peso

## Summary
The Uruguayan peso is the official currency of Uruguay, serving as the primary medium of exchange for goods and services within the nation. It was introduced on March 1, 1993, replacing the *nuevo peso* at an exchange rate of 1,000 to 1, and is issued by the Central Bank of Uruguay. Identified by the ISO 4217 code UYU and the symbol $U, it functions as a specific subclass of the broader "peso" monetary unit family.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Uruguayan peso (also known as *Peso Uruguayo*, *Peso d'Uruguay*, or *Peso do Uruguai*).
- **ISO 4217 Code**: UYU.
- **Unit Symbol**: $U.
- **Inception Date**: March 1, 1993.
- **Predecessor**: Replaced the *nuevo peso* (which circulated from 1975 to 1994) at a rate of 1,000 nuevo pesos to 1 Uruguayan peso.
- **Issuing Authority**: Central Bank of Uruguay (inception: March 1, 1967).
- **Jurisdiction**: Applies exclusively to Uruguay.
- **Exchange Rate Reference**: As of September 25, 2020, 1 Uruguayan peso was valued at approximately 0.023517 United States dollars.
- **Classification**: Subclass of *peso*; instance of *currency*.
- **Global Documentation**: The entity has a dedicated Wikipedia article in 48 languages, including Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
- **Digital Identifiers**:
  - Freebase ID: `/m/04wblx`
  - BabelNet ID: `14677533n`
  - PermID: `500270`
  - Wikikids ID: `Uruguayaanse_peso`
  - Yale Lux ID: `concept/72f89383-e16a-4652-9fc2-3b9ee0d6d620`
  - OmegaWiki Defined Meaning: `869624`
  - WordNet 3.1 Synset ID: `13715454-n`
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Uruguayan peso".
- **Commons Category**: "Money of Uruguay".
- **Wolfram Language Unit Code**: "UruguayanPesos".
- **Google Play Store ID**: "Mynt,_mål_og_vekt_i_Uruguay".
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID**: `urugvaiskoe-peso-558e1c`.

## FAQs
**What currency replaced the Uruguayan peso's immediate predecessor, and when did this transition occur?**
The Uruguayan peso replaced the *nuevo peso* on March 1, 1993. This transition involved a redenomination where 1,000 *nuevo pesos* were exchanged for 1 new Uruguayan peso to simplify the monetary system.

**Which organization is responsible for issuing and managing the Uruguayan peso?**
The Central Bank of Uruguay is the sole issuer and manager of the currency. This institution was established earlier, on March 1, 1967, to oversee the nation's monetary policy and financial stability.

**How is the Uruguayan peso identified in international financial systems and digital platforms?**
Internationally, the currency is standardized by the ISO 4217 code "UYU" and the symbol "$U". It is also tracked by financial data providers using PermID 500270 and is recognized in the Wolfram Language as "UruguayanPesos".

**In how many languages is the Uruguayan peso documented on Wikipedia?**
The entity is documented in 48 different language editions of Wikipedia, ranging from major languages like English, Spanish, and Russian to smaller communities such as Afrikaans and Cantonese.

**What was the exchange rate of the Uruguayan peso against the US dollar in late 2020?**
According to data from the Central Bank of Uruguay, on September 25, 2020, the exchange rate was approximately 0.023517 United States dollars for one Uruguayan peso.

## Why It Matters
The Uruguayan peso is the fundamental instrument of economic sovereignty for Uruguay, enabling the country to conduct domestic trade, manage inflation, and participate in the global financial system. Its introduction in 1993 marked a critical stabilization effort, replacing a hyper-inflationary predecessor (*nuevo peso*) with a unit designed to restore confidence in the national economy. As the specific monetary unit for a nation known for its high human development and democratic stability, the peso reflects Uruguay's economic resilience and its integration into international markets through standardized codes like UYU. The currency's existence allows for precise pricing, savings, and investment within the Southern Cone, serving as a tangible representation of the state's fiscal authority and its relationship with the Central Bank of Uruguay.

## Notable For
- **Specific Redenomination History**: Uniquely established in 1993 to replace the *nuevo peso* at a precise 1,000:1 ratio, correcting for previous inflationary pressures.
- **Distinct Symbolism**: Utilizes the specific symbol "$U" to differentiate it from other peso-denominated currencies like the Mexican or Argentine peso.
- **Comprehensive Digital Presence**: Maintains a presence in 48 language versions of Wikipedia, indicating significant global informational interest.
- **Standardized Classification**: Officially recognized as a subclass of the generic "peso" while maintaining a unique ISO 4217 code (UYU) for international transactions.
- **Central Bank Authority**: Directly linked to the Central Bank of Uruguay, an institution with its own distinct inception date of 1967.
- **Cross-Platform Identification**: Possesses unique identifiers across diverse systems including Freebase, BabelNet, WordNet, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.
- **Historical Continuity**: Represents the current iteration of Uruguay's monetary history, succeeding the *nuevo peso* era (1975–1994).

## Body

### Definition and Classification
The Uruguayan peso is defined as the specific currency of Uruguay. It is an instance of the broader class "currency" and is structurally a subclass of "peso," which is a name shared by several monetary units globally. The entity is characterized by its application to the jurisdiction of Uruguay, distinguishing it from other pesos used in Latin America. Its primary function is to serve as a generally accepted medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value within the national economy. The currency is identified by the unit symbol "$U" and the ISO 4217 code "UYU," ensuring its distinct recognition in international finance.

### Historical Context and Redenomination
The current Uruguayan peso was introduced on March 1, 1993. This date marks the official start of its circulation, replacing the *nuevo peso* (new peso). The transition was a redenomination event where 1,000 *nuevo pesos* were exchanged for 1 Uruguayan peso. The *nuevo peso* itself had been in circulation from 1975 to 1994. This historical shift was a critical economic measure to simplify the currency and address inflation. The replacement of the *nuevo peso* is a key historical fact referenced in the entity's data, linking the current currency to its immediate predecessor.

### Issuing Authority and Jurisdiction
The currency is issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Uruguay. This central bank is a distinct entity with an inception date of March 1, 1967, and is headquartered in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. The Central Bank of Uruguay is the sole authority responsible for the monetary policy and issuance of the Uruguayan peso. The currency applies exclusively to the jurisdiction of Uruguay, a sovereign state in South America. The relationship between the currency and the central bank is a defining characteristic, ensuring the stability and regulation of the monetary unit within the national borders.

### International Identification and Standards
The Uruguayan peso is rigorously identified through various international standards and databases. Its ISO 4217 code is "UYU," which is the primary standard for currency identification in banking and commerce. The unit symbol "$U" is used to visually distinguish it from other dollar or peso symbols. In digital and academic contexts, the currency is mapped to several unique identifiers:
- **Freebase**: `/m/04wblx`
- **BabelNet**: `14677533n`
- **PermID**: `500270`
- **WordNet**: `13715454-n`
- **OmegaWiki**: `869624`
- **Yale Lux**: `concept/72f89383-e16a-4652-9fc2-3b9ee0d6d620`
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia**: `urugvaiskoe-peso-558e1c`
- **Wikikids**: `Uruguayaanse_peso`
- **Wolfram Language**: "UruguayanPesos"
- **Google Play Store**: "Mynt,_mål_og_vekt_i_Uruguay"

These identifiers facilitate the currency's integration into global financial systems, encyclopedic databases, and software applications.

### Exchange Rates and Valuation
The value of the Uruguayan peso fluctuates against other major currencies. A specific data point from the source material indicates that on September 25, 2020, the exchange rate was 0.023517 United States dollars per Uruguayan peso. This valuation is sourced from the Central Bank of Uruguay's statistical and indicator pages. The currency's value is also historically linked to its predecessor, with the 1993 redenomination establishing a fixed conversion rate of 1,000 *nuevo pesos* to 1 Uruguayan peso. This historical rate serves as a baseline for understanding the currency's evolution.

### Global Documentation and Linguistic Presence
The Uruguayan peso is a well-documented entity in the global knowledge ecosystem. It has a dedicated Wikipedia article available in 48 languages. The language list includes: Afrikaans (af), Arabic (ar), Aragonese (arz), Balinese (bat_smg), Belarusian (be), Bulgarian (bg), Bhojpuri (bpy), Bosnian (bs), Catalan (ca), Czech (cs), German (de), English (en), Esperanto (eo), Spanish (es), Basque (eu), Persian (fa), Finnish (fi), French (fr), Frisian (frr), Galician (gl), Hebrew (he), Croatian (hr), Hungarian (hu), Armenian (hy), Indonesian (id), Ido (io), Italian (it), Japanese (ja), Korean (ko), Kyrgyz (ky), Lithuanian (lt), Marathi (mr), Malay (ms), Dutch (nl), Norwegian (no), Punjabi (pa), Polish (pl), Portuguese (pt), Romanian (ro), Russian (ru), Serbian (sr), Swedish (sv), Tajik (tg), Turkish (tr), Ukrainian (uk), Yoruba (yo), Chinese (zh), and Chinese Min Nan (zh_min_nan). This extensive coverage highlights the currency's relevance to a diverse global audience.

### Related Entities and Taxonomy
The Uruguayan peso is part of a larger taxonomic structure. It is a subclass of "peso," which is a generic term for several monetary units. It is also an instance of "currency," linking it to the broader concept of money and medium of exchange. The entity is connected to the country of Uruguay, which is a sovereign state in South America with an inception date of August 25, 1825. The currency is also linked to the Central Bank of Uruguay, which acts as its issuer. Additionally, the currency is related to the "nuevo peso," which it replaced. These relationships define the currency's position within the economic and historical landscape of Uruguay.

### Digital and Media Representation
The Uruguayan peso has a presence in digital media and online platforms. It is categorized under "Money of Uruguay" on Wikimedia Commons. The currency is also featured in the Google Play Store under the ID "Mynt,_mål_og_vekt_i_Uruguay." In the Wolfram Language, a computational knowledge engine, the currency is represented by the unit code "UruguayanPesos." These digital representations ensure that the currency is accessible and usable in various technological contexts, from mobile applications to computational software.

### Economic and Political Context
The introduction of the Uruguayan peso in 1993 was a significant event in Uruguay's economic history, occurring within the context of a sovereign state that has maintained a stable democratic system. The currency operates within a framework defined by the Central Bank of Uruguay, which was established in 1967. The currency's stability and management are crucial for Uruguay's economic performance, which includes a nominal GDP of $71.2 billion (as of 2022) and a high Human Development Index. The currency's existence supports the country's participation in international trade and its membership in organizations like the World Trade Organization and Mercosur.

## References

1. ISO 4217
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://www.bcu.gub.uy/Estadisticas-e-Indicadores/Paginas/Cotizaciones.aspx)
4. BabelNet
5. GF WordNet