You hold history in your hand each time you use the British pound. This venerable form of money dates all the way back to 775 AD, when it was known as the pound sterling in honor of the silver pennies, called sterlings, that Anglo-Saxon kings used for trade. Despite its ancient lineage, the pound continues to make waves in modern finance: it ranks as the fourth most traded currency worldwide, trailing only the U.S. dollar, the euro, and the Japanese yen. As you look at the pound today, you’re holding a piece of history that remains a pivotal force in the global marketplace.