A graphical symbol used as a substitute for the actual name of a form of money which is usually unique to a specific country or region. A currency symbol is the short-hand, familiar version of a currency. Short-hand currency identifiers created by the International Organization For Standardization (ISO) are often used instead of formal currency names in international and domestic markets. 



|||Not all currencies have currency symbols, making the assignment of a symbol a sign of higher status. Some currencies, such as the U.S. dollar ($) and pound (£) have become readily recognizable currency symbols.