The pound was the currency of South Carolina until 1793. Initially, Pound sterling circulated, supplemented from 1703 by local paper money. Although these notes were denominated in £sd, they were worth less than sterling, with 1 South Carolina shilling = 8d sterling. The first issues were known as Proclamation Money. They were replaced by the Lawful Money issue in 1748, with 1 Lawful shilling = 4+2⁄3 Proclamation shillings.

The State of South Carolina issued Continental currency denominated in £sd and Spanish dollars with 1 dollar = 32+1⁄2 shillings (8 dollars = 13 pounds). The continental currency was replaced by the U.S. dollar at a rate of 1000 continental dollars = 1 U.S. dollar.