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From: rturkel@cas.org (Rick Turkel)
Subject: Re: The origin of "$", the dollar sign?
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In article <3i9d9f$q08@pipe2.pipeline.com>,
Gabriel  Heller <szia@pipeline.com> wrote:
>Recently someone asked me the question: what is the origin of the dollar
>sign?
>
>I know the etymology of the word 'dollar', but my initial query into how
>the $ came about has so far yielded nothing. Is there anyone in this group
>who happens to know the answer?
>
>Also: is there a correct form of the $, i.e. is there supposed to be one or
>two vertical bars over the "S" (or it doesn't matter)?
>
>Would you please name your source(s) if you know the answer?
>
>Thanks,
>Gabriel Heller

It comes from a tall, thin upper-case U superimposed on an ordinary
upper-case S.  I used to be written almost universally with two vertical
bars, but now commonly appears with only one.

Unfortunately, I have no recollection of where I read this, but I recall
it being a reliable source.
-- 
Rick Turkel         (___  _____  _  _  _  _  __     _  ___   _   _  _  ___
rturkel@freenet.columbus)oh.us|   |  \  )  |/  \     |    |   |   \__)    |
rturkel@cas.org        /      |  _| __)/   | ___)    | ___|_  |  _(  \    |
Rich or poor, it's good to have money.  Ko rano rani | u jamu pada.
