The Uruguayan Peso is the official currency of Uruguay. The name has been in use since the European settlement. The present currency was adopted in 1993 and is subdivided into 100 centésimos.

In the 1830s, Uruguay used a currency called “peso fuerte,” which means “strong peso.” In the early 1900s, Uruguay introduced a new peso that was based on the gold standard. This led to a stable period for the currency until World War I. 

After World War II, the country decided to issue a new currency called the “nuevo peso,” the new peso. While some countries print their own banknotes and mint their own coins locally, since 1855, Uruguay has printed its money outside of the country. Other mints and printers in Britain and even the United States create the majority of the Uruguayan Peso currency. With regard to the authority responsible for issuing the currency, the Bank of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay was created in 1896, but later on this power was given to the Central Bank of Uruguay, founded in 1967. Since them the Central Bank of Uruguay has been the one in charge of issuing the Uruguayan peso. 

Coins for Uruguay were first struck at the Royal Mint in 1953. The nuevo peso replaced the peso on 1 July 1972.

Uruguay is located on the Atlantic coast of South America. The name “Uruguay” is derived from the Indigenous Guarani language. The country is home to about 3.5 million people, most of whom live in and around the capital and largest city, Montevideo.

The Fortaleza del Cerro, also known as Fortaleza General Artigas, is a fortress situated in Montevideo, Uruguay overlooking the Bay of Montevideo. It belongs to the barrio of Casabó, at the west of Villa del Cerro. It holds a dominant position on the highest hill of the department of Montevideo.

OBVERSE: National arms, the oval shield is divided into four equal sections and crowned by a rising golden sun, the “Sun of May”, symbolizing the rising of the Uruguayan nation and the May Revolution. The oval is surrounded by a laurel branch on the left and an olive one on the right, representing honor and peace, joined at the bottom by a light blue ribbon, the former uruguayan cockade.

In the upper left quarter there is a golden scale on a blue background, symbol of equality and justice. The upper right quarter contains the Cerro de Montevideo (Montevideo Hill) with its fortress on top on a silver background, as a symbol of strength. In the lower left, also on a silver background, there is a galloping black horse, symbolizing liberty. The lower right quarter holds a golden ox on blue background, as a symbol of abundance, surrounded with inscription. Date divided by mint mark on bottom.

Lettering: REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY · 19 So 70 ·

Shield designed by Juan Manuel Besnes Irigoyen (1788–1865).

Designer: Dieter Busse Hoehne

Engraver: Francisco Orellana Paves

REVERSE: Three ears of wheat on right, face value on left

Lettering: 20 PESOS

Designer: Dieter Busse Hoehne

Engraver: Francisco Orellana Paves

EDGE: Reeded

Engraver: Francisco Orellana Paves

Mint: "So" - Santiago, Chilean mint

Mintage in 1970 So 50 000 000

Country                      Uruguay 

Type                             Standard circulation coin

Issuer                               The Central Bank of Uruguay.

Year                              1970

Value                              20 Pesos 

Currency                      Peso (1863-1975)

Composition                Copper-nickel

Weight                        3.68 g

Diameter                  21.5 mm

Thickness                 1.5 mm

Shape                      Round

Orientation                Medal alignment ↑↑

Demonetized                1 July 1975

References               KM# 56, Schön# 39