Hop across the English Channel, and you’ll find the Egyptian pound (EGP). Cairo’s streets buzz with transactions in Egyptian pounds, and the notes feature ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza. Fun fact: the Egyptian pound was pegged to the British pound until 1962, so the name stuck as a colonial echo.
Heading south to Africa, the Sudanese pound (SDG) and the South Sudanese pound (SSP) both carry the name. These currencies are younger—Sudan switched from the dinar in 2007, and South Sudan introduced its pound upon independence in 2011. They’re a reminder that a currency’s name can be a powerful symbol of national identity, even if the economic story is still being written.
But the pound party isn’t limited to Africa. The Syrian pound (SYP) and Lebanese pound (LBP) are both called “pound” in English, though locals call them “lira” (from the Latin libra, meaning pound weight). Confusing? Absolutely. But it’s a linguistic quirk that makes travel conversations delightfully unpredictable.
A Quick Detour: The Falkland Islands and Gibraltar
Then there are the tiny but mighty territories. The Falkland Islands pound (FKP) and Gibraltar pound (GIP) are pegged at par to the British pound. You can use British notes there, but locals love their own colorful designs—think penguins on Falkland notes and Barbary macaques on Gibraltar’s. It’s a subtle flex: “We may be small, but we’ve got our own cash.”
And don’t forget the Saint Helena pound (SHP), used on the remote island where Napoleon was exiled. Imagine buying a cold drink with a note featuring the Emperor himself. That’s history in your wallet.
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