Topic summary

Pound sign

Pound sign

The pound sign (£) is the symbol for the pound, the modern unit of account of sterling (the currency of the United Kingdom) and of other currencies such as the Egyptian and Syrian pounds. The sign may be drawn with one or two bars depending on personal preference, but the Bank of England has used the one-bar style exclusively on banknotes since 1975.

In the United States, "pound sign" refers to the symbol # (number sign). In Canada, "pound sign" can mean £ or #.