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poohbear_nc · 02-09-2011, 10:03 AM

Well - SneakySnake got the right symbol - in its original form.

Bilbo got the right modern symbol - yes it became the modern dollar sign - anyone old enough to remember when it was still written with 2 vertical lines?

One theory on its adoption by the US is that Spanish pieces of eight were widely circulated in North America, and had the pillars of Hercules on one side of the coin. This symbol became recognizable as representing money.

So ... SS or Bilbo ... whoever gets here first ... take it away with a new question!

02-09-2011, 10:03 AM	#930
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,784 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Well - SneakySnake got the right symbol - in its original form. Bilbo got the right modern symbol - yes it became the modern dollar sign - anyone old enough to remember when it was still written with 2 vertical lines? One theory on its adoption by the US is that Spanish pieces of eight were widely circulated in North America, and had the pillars of Hercules on one side of the coin. This symbol became recognizable as representing money. So ... SS or Bilbo ... whoever gets here first ... take it away with a new question!