The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling – the currency of the United Kingdom and previously of Great Britain and of the Kingdom of England. The same symbol is used for other currencies called pound, such as the Gibraltar, Egyptian, Manx and Syrian pounds. A similar symbol (with two bars) was used on some banknotes from time to time, but the Bank of England has not done so since 1975. (This two-bar symbol is also used for currencies named "lira", for example the (withdrawn) Italian lira.)