What (who) is Gbps - definition
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![10/]]6 (ten shillings and sixpence, a [[half guinea]]).](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/De Alice's Abenteuer im Wunderland Carroll pic 25.jpg?width=200 "10/]]6 (ten shillings and sixpence, a [[half guinea]]).")
![The cost of one [[Euro]] in sterling (from 1999)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Euro exchange rate to GBP.svg?width=200 "The cost of one [[Euro]] in sterling (from 1999)")
![exchange rate]]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GBP-USD exchange rate.webp?width=200 "exchange rate]]")
![The cost of £1 sterling in [[US dollar]]s (from 1990)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GBP-USD v2.svg?width=200 "The cost of £1 sterling in [[US dollar]]s (from 1990)")
.jpg?width=200 "Sterling Pound 5, 10, 20, 50")
![The [[British Islands]] (red) and overseas territories (blue) using sterling or their local issue](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sterling area.svg?width=200 "The [[British Islands]] (red) and overseas territories (blue) using sterling or their local issue")
![silver pennies]] (formerly)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/The Pound.jpg?width=200 "silver pennies]] (formerly)")
![Owner occupied]] housing inflation}}](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Uk Inflation data.webp?width=200 "Owner occupied]] housing inflation}}")
Wikipedia
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Sterling (abbreviation: stg; ISO code: GBP) is the currency of the United Kingdom and nine of its associated territories. The pound (sign: £) is the main unit of sterling, and the word "pound" is also used to refer to the British currency generally, often qualified in international contexts as the British pound or the pound sterling.
Sterling is the world's oldest currency that is still in use and that has been in continuous use since its inception. It is currently the fourth most-traded currency in the foreign exchange market, after the United States dollar, the euro, and the Japanese yen. Together with those three currencies and Renminbi, it forms the basket of currencies which calculate the value of IMF special drawing rights. As of late 2022, sterling is also the fourth most-held reserve currency in global reserves.
The Bank of England is the central bank for sterling, issuing its own banknotes, and regulating issuance of banknotes by private banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Sterling banknotes issued by other jurisdictions are not regulated by the Bank of England; their governments guarantee convertibility at par. Historically, sterling was also used to varying degrees by the colonies and territories of the British Empire.
