CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICAN
COINS & CURRENCY

BELIZE COIN SET INCLUDES COLUMBUS' SHIPS 

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is on the east coast of Central America. The area was the site of ancient Mayan civilizations and was sighted by Columbus in 1502.  It was settled by shipwrecked British sailors and pirates in the 17th century and became a British colony upon the collapse of the Spanish Empire in the 1820's. It became an independent nation in 1981.  Queen Elizabeth is the head of state and holds the title of Queen of Belize.  She is pictured on the obverse of all the coins.   The six-coin set includes the scalloped edged aluminum 1 cent, aluminum 5 cents, copper-nickel 10, 25 and 50 cents and a 10-sided nickel-brass 1 Dollar coin.  The dollar coin pictures Columbus' three ships.

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BOLIVIA COMMEMORATES THEIR LOSS OF ACCESS TO THE PACIFIC

The War of the Pacific started as a dispute over the taxing of bird poop!  The war broke out in 1879 over a treaty dispute about Bolivia’s ability to raise taxes on a Chilean company mining bird guano in the Atacama Desert.  Chile defeated the combined forces of Bolivia and Peru.  Bolivia lost their corridor to the Pacific Ocean and Peru lost its southern tip to Chile. Since then the loss of the territories has been a rallying cry by politicians seeking to draw attention away from domestic problems.  In 2017 Bolivia released a set of four 2 Bolivianos commemorating the loss of their Pacific territory.  The 11-sided 2mm stainless steel coins have Bolivia’s arms on one side and the following designs on the other:  Genoveva Ríos was a young teen-age girl who bravely saved the Bolivian flag from Chilean troops.  Eduardo Abaroa is one of Bolivia’s foremost heroes in the war.  He died in the Battle of Topáter.  Outnumbered and low in ammunition, most of the Bolivian force withdrew, except for a small group of civilians led by Abaroa that fought to the end.  The Bolivian Colorados Regiment fought bravely in many of the battles of the war.   The Port of Cobija was Bolivia’s main seaport on the Pacific.  It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1868, destroyed again by a tsunami in 1877, annexed by Chile in 1884 and abandoned in 1907.  

For more War of the Pacific items please see:

THE BIRD POOP TAX WAR  - THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC

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OLD UNCIRCULATED "MODERN" COIN OF BOLIVIA

In 1937 Bolivia introduced a new "modern" style copper-nickel 10 Centavo coin.  Though the traditional Bolivian emblem remained, the lettering and an upraised arm holding a torch was done in a modern style.  Apparently, the design was not popular as the traditional design and lettering was brought back the following year.

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BOLIVIA 1965 COIN SET

This three-coin set includes the 1965 dated 5, 10 and 50 Centavos from Bolivia.  The coins were the first issued by Bolivia since 1951 and were issued as part of a currency reform. The obverses of the coins depict the Bolivian arms which feature the Potosi mountain silver mine and an alpaca.  The denomination is on the reverse.

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BRAZIL HONORS AVIATION PIONEER ON SILVER COIN 

Aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont is honored on this silver 5000 Reis coin of Brazil.  Dumont, born in Brazil, spent much of his life in France as an inventor and aviator.  He flew the first practical dirigible flights, and in 1906 made the first public flight of an airplane in Europe. His daring aviation exploits made him an international hero of the early 20th century.  He died in Brazil in 1932 after a long period of illness and depression.  Brazil honored him with this silver 5000 Reis coin.  It was struck only three years, from 1936 to 1938, and was the highest denomination coin in circulation.  His portrait appears on one side, and a wing and the denomination is on the other.  The 26mm is struck in .600 fine silver and contains .1929 troy ounces of silver.  The coin grades Almost Uncirculated or better.

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BRAZIL SET FEATURES PROFESSIONS

This short-lived 4 coin set from Brazil features Brazilians engaged in their daily work.  The 1 Centavo depicts a farmer and cows.  A fisherman and two fish is on the 5 Centavos.  A miner and three diamonds is on the 10 Centavos.  The 50 Centavos depicts what appears to be a weaver making cloth.  The coins were introduced in 1989 as part of a currency reform, in which 1000 of the old Cruzados became worth 1 Crozado Novo.  Inflation continued out of controll and the coins were soon worthless.  In 1990 Brazil introduced another reform and Cruzado Nova was replaced by the Cruzeiro.   All four coins are made of Stainless Steel and feature the denomination on the obverse. It is an inexpensive and attractive Brilliant Uncirculated set.

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BRAZILIAN RIO OLYMPIC COINS  

 Brazil released a series of circulating commemorative bi-metalic 1 Real coins to commemorate the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.  Sixteen  1 Real coins depicting various Olympic and Paralympic sports were released starting in 2014.  The four 2014 issues depict track, swimming, golf and the para-triathalon.  Eight coins were released in 2015 featuring basketball, swimming, rugby, Paralympic canoeing, soccer, volleyball, judo and Paralympic track.  Four 2016 coins have been released, depicting boxing, Paralympic mascot Tom, Olympic Mascot Vinicius and Paralympic swimming.   All the coins have a common reverse which includes the date, denomination and a motif from the Brazilian flag that features the Southern Cross constellation.    The 27mm bi-metallic coins have a stainless steel center and a bronze-plated steel outer ring.   All coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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MUSEUM OF GOLD ON COLOMBIA 20 GOLD PESOS NOTE

The back of this Colombia 1983 20 Pesos Oro (Gold Pesos) note depicts golden objects from the Museum of Gold in Bogata.  The museum houses the world's largest collection of pre-Colombian gold relics.  The front depicts Francisco José de Caldas, a Colombian lawyer, scientist, military engineer and inventor who was killed by the Spanish in 1816 during Colombia's war for independence. Though the note is denominated in Gold Pesos, the note was not was not backed by gold and within a few years was virtually worthless. The note measures 140x70mm.

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UNUSUAL PORTRAIT COSTA RICAN COFFEE PLANTATION TOKEN

Most plantation tokens tended to have rather simple designs consisting of just lettering and maybe a simple image. This unusual token of the Sociedad Alvarado-Chacon features a good portrait of the owner Santiago Alvarado Ramírez, who lived from 1841 until 1933.  The Sociedad was a holding company for his eight coffee plantations Costa Rica that all used this token.  The 26mm brass token is denominated as 1 Real.  Though Costa Rica officially stopped using Reals in 1865 when they switched to a decimal system, plantations continued to pay their workers in Reals, with 1 Real worth 1/8 of a Colon.  The tokens are somewhat corroded and have been cleaned.

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CUBA’S CRAZY CURRENCY SYSTEM

In 1985 Cuba introduced a complicated foreign exchange system, with special foreign exchange certificates that could be used to purchase "luxury" items (meaning almost everything other than rice and beans) that were not available to most Cubans who were paid in regular Cuban Pesos.  Four different types of certificates were issued.  The fronts of the notes all had similar designs, with the emblem of the National Bank of Cuba at the left, the denomination at the center and the type of currency (A,B,C or D) at the right.  The "A" Pesos are red and were for visitors from communist block nations and had an exchange rate of 1 Peso = .9 Rubles. Historic Cuban fortresses were on the backs.  The "B" Pesos are green and were for visitors from nations with free market currencies. They had an exchange rate of 1 Peso = 1 United States Dollar. They had the same reverse designs as the "A" series.  The blue "C" series were for Cubans with access to U.S. dollars, Cubans selling precious metals to the government, certain officials and foreign nationals living in Cuba.  They had an exchange rate of 1 Peso = 1 U.S. Dollar. The back has blank lines for the signature of the payee and the date of issue.  They could not be transferred or exchanged back into dollars and expired after five years. The light brown "D" series were for foreign students who were allowed foreign exchange at the rate of 1 Peso = 1 U.S. Dollar.  Like the "C" series the back has lines for the signature of the payee, and date of issue and they could not be transferred or exchanged and expired after five years.  As might be expected the cumbersome system lent itself to graft.  In 1993 the U.S. Dollar was made legal tender and in 1994 the system was abandoned and a new system based on the Cuban Convertible Peso was introduced.

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GUATEMALA COIN SET

This five coin set from Guatemala reflects that nation’s culture.  The 5 Centavos shows the Liberty Tree, an image is taken from the 19th century coins of the Central American Republic. The 10 Centavos shows the ancient Mayan Monolith of Quirgua. The 25 Centavo shows a native Indian. The 50 Centavos shows the national flower, a white nun orchard. The1 Quetzal has the image of a dove formed from the word "PAZ" (Peace) and has the date of the new constitution (December 29, 1996) that formalized the end of a decades long civil war. The obverse of each coin has the national arms which include a Quetzal bird atop their declaration of independence and protected by swords and bayoneted rifles.  The coins date from 1990 to 2007.

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GUATEMALA NOTE COMMEMORATES 100th ANNIVERSARY OF QUETZAL CURRENCY  

In 2024 Guatemala recently introduced an attractive circulating 1 Quetzal note to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Quetzal monetary unit. The front depicts a colorful Quetzal bird, the national bird of Guatemala, an impressive gold holographic device, the portrait of General José María Orellana and the Tikal Temple. General Orellana became President in 1921 in a coup sponsored by the United Fruit Company.  He implemented the currency reform that introduced the Quetzal. He also ruthlessly suppressed strikes by Guatemalan workers against the United Fruit Company.  He died under mysterious circumstances in 1926 one day after declaring martial law. The back of the note depicts the Bank of Guatemala building.  The note also incorporates ultraviolet images and front/back registration images of the Mayan glyph for the numeral one and the Guatemalan flag. It is an impressive note at an attractive price. The note is 156 x 67mm.

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MEXICAN COINS AND BANKNOTES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN PAGE:

 COINS AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO

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NETHERLANDS ANTILLES COINS AND BANKNOTE

Though the Netherlands Antilles was officially dissolved in 2010, Curacao and Sint Maarten continue to use Netherlands Antilles coins and currency.  The introduction of a new currency has been repeatedly delayed due to disagreements over details about the currency and delays caused by COVID.  New coins and currency are now expected to be released in 2024.  In order to meet the needs of commerce certain denominations of Netherlands Antilles coins were struck, even though Netherlands Antilles no longer officially existed.  This 7-coin Netherlands Antilles set includes some last coins struck for Netherlands Antilles. The 2016 5 Gulden depicting Dutch king Willem-Alexander.  The 2006 2 1/2 Gulden features his mother, Queen Beatrix.   Willem-Alexander is on the 2016 1 Gulden. The three coins features the arms of the Netherlands Antilles on the reverse. The four lower denominations all have similar designs, with the denomination on one side and a stylized orange tree on the other.  The 25, 10 and 1 Cent are dated 2016, the 5 Cent is dated 2022.  The coins were all struck at Utrecht mint.  
The 1970 1 Guilden bank note was the last 1 Gulden note issued by Netherlands Antilles.. The note depicts the  harbor at Willemstad, Curacao with a number of cargo ships

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NICARAGUA COIN FEATURES OLD NATIONAL EMBLEM  

The emblem of the long defunct Central American Republic, featuring a radiant sun-face rising over five mountain peaks appears on the reverse of this 1954 Nicaragua 50 Centavos.  Nicaragua based their national arms on the emblem.  The obverse features Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba, a Spanish conquistador who is the founder of Nicaragua and for whom their currency is named.  He established the Nicaraguan cities of Granada and Leon in 1524. The 26mm copper-nickel coin has a lettered edge and is Uncirculated.  It has a catalog value of $15.00, however, our price is MUCH less.

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OLD COINS OF PANAMA: 1904 - 1940

In 1903 the United States supported Panama's quest for independence from Columbia.  In return it got the right to build the Panama Canal and control the region on either side of the canal, which was called the Canal Zone.  Since 1904 Panama's currency, called the Balboa, has been tied 1:1 to the United States Dollar.  Most of Panama's coins depict Vasco Nunez de Balboa. He was a Spanish and conquistador who crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513, becoming the first European to have reached the Pacific Ocean.  Panama issued coins only issued coins occasionally, and until the 1970's most coins were struck at United States mints. 

Though the Panama Balboa was tied one to one to the United States Dollar, the initial issue of Panama coins had twice the metal content of the equivalent United States coins. One of the first Panama coin issues was the 1904 5 Centesimos.  It depicted Balboa on the obverse and the Panamanian coat of arms on the reverse.  Though valued at only 5 cents U.S., it had the same silver content and virtually the same dimensions the United States dime.  In 1907 two new coins were introduced a 1/2 Centesimo depicting Balboa and a 2 1/2 Centesimos with depicting the coat of arms.  The 2 1/2 Centesimos was struck to the same standards as a United States nickel, though worth only half as much. The 2 1/2 Centesimos was struck again in 1916 with the same design.

Starting in 1929 Panama's coins were switched to the same standards as United States coins and The previous issues were demonetized in 1930 and many were melted.  In 1929 the silver 5 Centesimos was replaced with a copper-nickel 5 Centimos, which was struck to the same standards of the United Sates nickel. The design was rather basic, with the a large "5" on one side and the coat of arms on the other.   The coin was minted again in 1932.  The silver 1/10 Balboa was introduced in 1930.  It matched the standards of the United States dime had a revised portrait of Balboa on the obverse and the coat of arms on the reverse.   A 1 Centesimo coin was issued in 1935 and again in 1937.  It was struck to the standards of a United States Cent.  The obverse pictures native chief Urraca who fought against the Spanish Conquistadors from 1520 until his death in 1531. The reverse shows the date and denomination.

In 1940 Panama issued two oddball denominations; a bronze 1 1/4 Centesimos called a "Quartillo".and a copper-nickel 2 1/2 Centesimos.  Both depicted Balboa on the obverse and the denomination on the reverse.  The coins were thought to be needed to help the poor make change for small purchases.  In reality it created confusion and the coins were unpopular.  The 20mm bronze 1 1/4 Centesimos was the same weight and only 1mm larger than the bronze 1 Centesimo that had been minted in 1935 and 1937.

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PANAMA 1953 50th ANNIVERSARY CENTESIMO  

Panama celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its independence in 1953 with the striking of this commemorative 1 Centesimo coin. One side pictures native chief Urraca who fought against the Spanish Conquistadors from 1520 until his death in 1531. The reverse shows the date and denomination. Panama gained its independence from Colombia in 1903 with the help of the United States, after Colombia rejected a treaty with the United States to build a canal across the isthmus. The bronze 1 Centesimo has the same composition and dimensions as the United States cent and has a mintage of 1.5 Million. The coin is Uncirculated, though may be slightly toned.

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PANAMA BREAST CANCER AWARENESS COIN  

Panama released this circulating Breast Cancer Awareness 1/4 Balboa coin itwo circulating commemorative commemorative in 2008.  It features the Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon on one side and the Panamian arms and date on the other. 

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A TRIPLE COMMEMORATIVE FROM PANAMA

This Panamanian  1 Centesimo dated 2000 is a triple commemorative.  It commemorates the Panama Canal, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the beginning of the 21st century.  Pretty impressive for a low value coin. The 22.8mm aluminum coin depicts a ship passing through the canal on one side and the national arms on the other.

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2019 PANAMA WORLD YOUTH DAY COINS

Panama celebrated World Youth Day with regular and colored bi-metallic 1 Balboa coins.  The 2019 World Youth Day was held in Panama City in January 2019.  The event was organized by the Catholic Church and featured a visit by Pope Francis.  It drew thousands of young people from around the world.   Both coins feature the logo of the event on one side and the Panamanian arms on the other.  The logo was designed by a 20-year-old college student. The logo, which is rich in Catholic symbolism. It incorporates a silhouette of the Panamanian Isthmus and the Panama Canal, a Pilgrim Cross, silhouette of the Virgin Mary, the five points of the crown of Mary, also symbolizing the five continents.  The logo has both the shape of a heart and the letter 'M'.

Also see:

VATICAN 2013 WORLD YOUTH DAY 2 EURO

PORTUGAL 2 EUROS 2023 YOUTH DAY 2 EURO

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1953 PARAGUAY COIN SET FEATURES ODD SHAPES

This 4-coin set from Paraguay includes the 10, 15, 25 and 50 Centimos dated 1953. The aluminum-bronze (brass) coins all have scalloped edges and feature a lion guarding a liberty cap on the obverse.  The design is from the reverse of the arms and flag of Paraguay.  The denomination is on the reverse. The coins were struck only a single year.

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1879 PROVISIONAL COIN OF PERU

ADMIRAL GRAU MONUMENT TOKEN FROM PERU

BOLIVIA COMMEMORATES THEIR LOSS OF ACCESS TO THE PACIFIC

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SURINAME 5 NOTE SET FEATURES LANDSCAPES

This is the complete 5-note set of the second issue of the Surinamese Dollar. IT was introduced in 2010 and is in current circulation.  The designs are similar to the first issue but with many advanced security features including a holographic stripe, color shifting security thread and bank logo registration device.  The fronts of the notes all depict the Central Bank building in Paramaribo and native plants. The back sides show the country’s impressive landscape and also various plants.  The back of the 2012 5 Dollar note features the Gran Rio River and a Coconut palm. The 2019 10 Dollar depicts the Suriname river and a Yellow lapacho tree.   The 2019 20 Dollar pictures the Voltzberg granite dome mountain and a Red mangrove on the back.  The 2019 50 Dollar depicts Mount Kasikasima and a Java cotton tree.  An aerial view of the Maroni River and a Sandalwood tree are on the back of the 2020 100 Dollar note. 

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SHEEP SHEERING TOKEN FROM URUGUAY

A sheep is depicted on this 23mm copper token from the Larraundarra hacienda.  Larraundarra was located near the tiny hamlet of Cuaro (population 110) in the sparsely populated Artigas Department in northern Uruguay.  The obverse of the token has the name and location of the hacienda and the value 1, representing 1 fleece. A token would be given to workers for each sheep shorn.  The token probably dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. 

VENEZUELA 2008 REVALUATION COIN SET  

On January 1, 2008 Venezuela implemented a 1000 to 1 revaluation of their currency, replacing the Bolivar with the new Bolivar Fuerte (Strong).  Due to political and economic mismanagement and falling oil prices the Bolivar Fuerte has proved to be anything but strong and has lost almost all of its value.  We offer the now hard to find Bolivar Fuerte coins.  The seven coin set includes the 1, 5, 10, 12 1/2, 25 and 50 Centavos dated 2007 and a bi-metallic 1 Bolivar dated 2012.  The 1 Bolivar pictures national hero Simon Bolivar and has a lettered edge.  The other denominations show the denomination in large numerals on the reverse.  The 12 1/2 Centavos (1/8 Bolivar) is an unusual denomination that harkens back when Spanish Pieces-of-Eight circulated in the region.  Because of severe inflation in Venezuela the coins no longer circulate and are difficult to obtain.

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VENEZUELAN COMMEMORATIVE COINS

In 2011 Venezuela issued a 25 Centavos for the 200th anniversary of the signing of their Act of Independence.  In 2010 it issued a 50 Centavos commemorating the 70th anniversary of its Central Bank.  Considering the severe inflation and economic mismanagement the country has experienced it would not seem to be an event one would want to commemorate.  The standard reverses are used on the coins which have the denomination and eight stars.   Both coins are nickel-plated steel.  Due to Venezuela's inflation the coins circulated only briefly and are worth far more as scrap metal than their face value, making them hard to find today.

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2016 COINS OF VENEZUELA

In conjunction with the planned withdrawal 100 Bolivar note in December 2016, Venezuela introduced three new coins: the 10, 50 and 100 Bolivar dated 2016.  Also issued at that time were new high denomination banknotes. Due to of the inability of the government to get the coins to the banks and the rapid depreciation of the value of the Bolivar the withdrawal of the notes has been repeatedly postponed.  The three coins are struck in a magnetic alloy and have similar designs.   The obverses feature the Barre portrait of Simon Bolivar, which has been used on Venezuela's coins since 1873.  Behind him are three undulating lines representing the three stripes of Venezuela's flag.  The reverses have Venezuela's new coat-of-arms, the denomination and date.  Because of their lack of buying power and the economic collapse of Venezuela the coins rarely circulate and are difficult to obtain.  

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VENEZUELA COMPLETE 27 NOTE INFLATION SET

TThis set includes all 27 denominations of banknotes issued by Venezuela between 2007 and 2020.  The Venezuelan Bolivar was for many years one of the strongest currencies in the world.  Under the Socialist government of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro the country and its currency underwent a complete collapse. In 2007 the Bolivar, which had been in use since 1879, was replaced by the Strong Bolivar (Bolivares Fuerte), with 1 Strong Bolivar being worth 1000 Bolivars.  The Strong Bolivar turned out to be very weak.  Inflation accelerated due to government incompetence and misrule.  In 2018 another new currency was introduced, the Sovereign Bolivar (Bolivares Soberano), with 100,000 Strong Bolivars worth 1 of the new Sovereign Bolivar.   Inflation has continued and in 2021 another new currency was introduced, the Digital Bolivar (Bolivares Digitales), with 1 Digital Bolivar being equivalent to 1 Sovereign Bolivar.  This 27-note set includes the 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 100,000 Strong Bolivares notes dating from 2013 to 2017 and the 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 200,000, 500,000 and 1 million Sovereign Bolivar notes dating from 2018 to 2020.  The issues before the 10,000 Sovereign Bolivar feature Venezuelan heroes on the front native wildlife on the backs.  Starting with the 10,000 Sovereign Bolivar note which was released in 2019, all the notes feature the same portrait of Simon Bolivar on the front and either his mausoleum or the Battle of Cordoba on the back.  With little to distinguish these high denomination notes from each other than their muted color, I pity anyone who is colorblind in Venezuela.

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Also see:
 COINS AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO

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Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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