As uniform monetary unit of the USA the dollar has begun the life in 1861 godu. Togda the American Congress has decided to let out the first national dengi, so-called В«banknotes on demandВ», for the sum 50-60 millions dollars, face values were limited to three values- 5,10 and 20 dollars.

the US dollar already for a long time is the basic reliable international currency. How its course in relation to other currencies varied, risks of an investment in the American dollar certainly exist - but they much more low, than investments in national currency.

the word dollar has appeared from German "taller", in use in 150С… years in Germany. By sight are there were big round coins from silver. In Spain coins of such type have been named "peso " and is frequent imenovilis "the Spanish dollars ".

The sign on dollar $. There are some versions of its origin: the Same sign was used on those coins "peso " still in 1732Рі. Such coins have been let out on a mint of Mexico City and were in use in North American colonies of Spain. Value of the sign was deciphered so: Vertical sticks were designated by Herculean columns or "skapy " - which were vozdvignuty Oat-flakes at edges of strait of Gibraltar. Symbol S specified in water - or is more exact on waves in passage. In "gathering " the sign specified in that that Spain - is great sea power.

when the Congress of the USA confirmed national currency a dollar sign have left habitual, and have thus entered two kinds of dollar - silver dollar and gold dollar. Because of it each time at change of cost of these metals (especially at fluctuations of cost gold/silver) the dollar exchange rate constantly fluctuated. Eventually, what to eliminate "a competition " in one currency - the decision to refuse silver face value was accepted and have left only gold. The gold equivalent to one dollar has been accepted and thus the banknote of dollar was as though the bank receipt on storage of the gold in bank.

in a consequence, in 1933 of dollar have reduced the price on 40 % after crisis in economy of the USA, named "great depression ". Then it was possible to change 35 dollars for one "trojskuju ounce " gold in bank of the USA.

the Second World War has made the USA leading world power with strong economy whereas it practically has not suffered, in comparison with Europe. At that time, the world market had nothing to oppose the USA and Dollar has been accepted by the currency standard, having occupied dominating position in the market. It meant that the exchange rate was considered in relation to Dollar, instead of gold as earlier. In the second, the state currency reserves as were stored in dollars, in them the basic currency transactions were spent. By and large in it nebylo no trouble - the American banks guaranteed that US dollar always it is possible to exchange dollar/gold for gold, and a course were fixed. But in it also there was one reef - dollars it was required more and more, for satisfaction of deficiency, presses worked on all power - but here the gold reserves could not increase as quickly.

and here, in 1971 Richard Nixon (who does not know - the US president for that time) has cancelled rigid communication of dollar with gold. It was an official recognition of that the dollar any more is not "gold-bearing " a denomination. But the trust to this currency was so great, that this step has not called crisis in the world currency market.

But this step, has given the chance to dollar to display its real cost - that has caused gradual reduction in price of this currency - inflation. This process proceeds from seventieth years to this day.

as a result the economic having lost a binding to one standard has had an opportunity to count exchange rates depending on their real cost - relations of demand to the offer.

recently, introduction in 2002Рј to year of the all-European currency "Euro " became the most sign event in a dollar life. As a matter of fact, the euro tries to take of a predominating position in the world currency market which was occupied earlier with dollar. At least it is one of the reasons of falling of dollar for last years that has undoubtedly helped Americans, having lowered their payment deficiency.

For today, it is impossible to speak that the dollar has lost all positions - the alignment of forces has simply changed - now in the currency market three currencies - euro, dollar and yen predominate.