U.S. History

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Dollar Sign

Dictionary of American History | 2003 | Copyright

DOLLAR SIGN

DOLLAR SIGN. Popular belief often ascribes the origin of the dollar sign ($) to a mark on government mail-bags standing for U.S., or Uncle Sam. Another common story claims that the symbol represents the pillars of Hercules on the Spanish dollar. A third explanation for its origin identifies it as a conversion of the old Spanish symbol for the Spanish dollar. Most probably, however, the dollar sign is a conventionalized combination of the letters p and s for pesos. As early as 1788, a government clerk used such a mark, and the present symbol came into general use shortly after that time.

NeilCarothers/a. e.

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dollar sign

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

dol·lar sign (also dollar mark) • n. the sign $, representing a dollar.

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"dollar sign." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"dollar sign." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dollarsign.html

"dollar sign." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-dollarsign.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Dollar signs light Hefner Way.(News) Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 4/13/2000
	Golf: BLINDED BY DOLLAR SIGNS; Europe team can reap benefit of US Ryder Cup... Newspaper article from: Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland); 8/13/1999
	Device makers see dollar signs in proposal for CAS expansion. Magazine article from: Medical Device Week; 2/6/2007