The term "piastres" refers to a unit of currency that has been used in various countries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Historically, it originated from the Spanish dollar and has been adopted in different forms by nations such as Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. The value of a piastre can vary significantly depending on the country and its economic conditions. In modern usage, the piastre is often subdivided into smaller units, similar to cents in the United States dollar. For example, in Egypt, the currency is the Egyptian pound, which is further divided into piastres. This system helps facilitate everyday transactions and pricing in local markets.