Pesos

Argentina's currency is called the peso [pay-soh]. Over the past few years, one peso is equal to about thirty-three cents in American money. Since American currency is stronger, it offers those with American dollars a good exchange rate in Argentina and thus a good deal on everything. Just like in many countries around the world, Argentina uses its money to honor important characters in Argentine history and culture. Here is a picture that shows all the bills and following that will appear a description of each hero on each bill. The 1 peso bill does not exist; it is instead a coin and does not have any Argentine's face on it.

Billete de dos pesos [bee-shet-ay day dose pay-sohs] or "two-peso bill": This has the face of former president Bartomolé Mitre [bart-oh-low-may mee-tray]. He was president during the 1860s, when Argentina gained valuable land from Paraguay and grew richer. He was a journalist and was very influential with his writings before and after his presidency.

Billete de cinco [sink-oh; "five"] pesos: Here is shown the face of José de San Martín [hoe-say dey sahn mar-teen], the liberator of Argentina (see below). He is Argentina's greatest hero and is a national icon.

Billete de diez [dyes; "ten"] pesos: On this bill is the face of Manuel Belgrano. He designed Argentina's flag and helped win some of the independence battles.

Billete de veinte [vain-tay; "twenty"] pesos: Juan Manuel de Rosas [whuahn mahn-well day rose-ahs] was president of Argentina for various periods between 1829 and 1852. He prevented foreign exploitation of Argentina and was a strong-willed leader.

Billete de cincuenta [sink-went-ah; "fifty"] pesos: Another president appears on this bill. It was Domingo Faustino Sarmiento [doh-mean-goh fow-steen-oh sar-myen-toh] was president from 1868 to 1874. He was an advocate of progress and making Argentina open to the world. He was also a very influential writer.

Billete de cien [syen; "one hundred"] pesos: Former president and military leader Julio Roca [whoo-lyo roh-cah] appears here. He was president twice, from 1880 to 1886 and from 1898 to 1904. He led the "Conquest of the Desert" (see below) to modernize Argentina. In general he promoted a lot of progress in Argentina.

In one sense or another, these men are all national heroes. They have helped Argentina become what it is today and are thus remembered on the bills Argentines use every day as their currency.