The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Real \Re"al\ (r[=e]"al), n. [Sp., fr. real royal, L. regalis.
   See Regal, and cf. Ree a coin.]
   A former small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of
   money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary
   system.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: A

   real of plate (coin) varied in value according to the time
      of its coinage, from 121/2 down to 10 cents, or from 61/2
      to 5 pence sterling. The

   real vellon, or money of account, was nearly equal to five
      cents, or 21/2 pence sterling. In 1871 the coinage of
      Spain was assimilated to that of the Latin Union, of which
      the franc is the unit. The peseta was introduced in 1868,
      and continued as the official currency of Spain (splitting
      temporarily into Nationalist and Republican pesetas during
      the civil war of the 1930's) until 2002. In 2002, the euro
      became the official currency of Spain and most other
      nations of the European Union.
      [1913 Webster + PJC]