BOB (Bolivian Boliviano)

The currency abbreviation or currency symbol for the Bolivian boliviano (BOB), the currency of Bolivia. The Bolivian boliviano is made up of 100 centavos. Although the currency has changed many times, the name has been used to represent the Bolivian currency unit since 1864.

When first introduced in 1864, the boliviano was made equivalent to half a Bolivian scudo (the former national currency). After its introduction, it was pegged at 5 French francs to 1 boliviano until 1908, when it was put on the gold standard and pegged at 12.5 bolivianos to 1 British pound (GBP). From 1908 to 1962 the currency suffered a series of serious devaluations, and in 1963 it was replaced by the peso boliviano (BOP) at a rate of 1,000 to 1.

Many more years of rampant inflation and currency devaluation continued, forcing the nation to once again replace its currency. In 1987, BOP was replaced with the current boliviano (BOB), at a rate of 1 million to 1, making it equivalent to 1 U.S. dollar. Since this time, BOB has been allowed to float freely against other currencies.