What is the name of the £ sign?

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What is the name and origin of the £ sign?

The £ sign is called a "pound sign". It is a currency symbol for pounds sterling (GBP) and other pounds. It is basically a capital letter L, written in old-fashioned roundhand, with one or two crossbars added to indicate that it is being used as a symbol. The L stands for the Latin word "libra", the name of a Roman unit of weight.