What is the national currency of Colombia?

The national currency of Colombia is the Colombian peso. Its international currency code is COP, and its symbol is commonly written as $ or COL$ when clarification is needed.

The peso has been Colombia’s currency since the 19th century. The name comes from the Spanish monetary word peso, meaning “weight,” which was widely used across the former Spanish colonies. Colombia’s central bank, the Banco de la República, issues the country’s banknotes and coins.

Colombian pesos are sometimes confused with the currencies of other Spanish-speaking countries that also use the name peso, including Argentina, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Philippines. The country name or the code COP identifies Colombia’s version.

Modern Colombian banknotes feature notable national figures and cultural or natural themes. The designs have included portraits of leaders such as Simón Bolívar and historical figures such as Policarpa Salavarrieta. Colombia’s currency is subdivided into centavos, although everyday transactions are generally expressed in whole pesos.