CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICAN
COINS & CURRENCY

ARGENTINA COMMEMORATES OIL

Argentina issued this 2007  2 Pesos coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the nations petroleum industry. One side pictures an oil well, the other side depicts an oil pump and the name of the province “Chubut” where oil was discovered and is the heart of the countries petroleum industry. Oil was discovered in 1907, when a crew drilling for water, struck oil instead. In recent years the country has turned from a net exporter of energy to a net importer. Government price controls on energy and expropriations have dried up exploration and investment in the petroleum industry despite the country having potentially huge energy reserves.   The 30mm copper-nickel coin is Uncirculated.

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ARGENTINA CELEBRATES A NEW CONSTITUTION  

In 1994 Argentina implemented a major constitutional reform. The new constitution was designed to end previous abuses by increasing the protection of political and consumer rights, adding sections dealing with public ethics, environmental protection and limiting the power and term of the President.  These pure nickel 2 and 5 Peso coins were issued to commemorate the event.  Both 1994 dated coins have the same design.  The obverse features the Argentine Coat-of-Arms, the names of the two cities that hosted the Constitutional Convention, Parana and Santa Fe, and the arms of the two cities.  The reverse represents the Constitution as an open book, with the first words of the preamble depicted.
 

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BEAUTIFUL OLD BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED BOLIVIAN COINS

This Brilliant Uncirculated three coin set from Bolivia includes the copper-nickel 1935 5 Centavos, 1936 10 Centavos and the 1939 50 Centavos.  The obverses of the coins depict the Bolivian arms which feature the Potosi mountain silver mine and an alpaca.  The reverses have a caduceus, the denomination and date.  The 5 and 50 Centavos were struck only a single year. It is an attractive, old set in top condition.

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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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BEAUTIFUL, BIG, OLD, BRAZIL RAILWAY COMPANY STOCK CERTIFICATE

This big and beautiful Brazil Railway Company stock certificate features an attractive vignette of a passenger train crossing a bridge.  The 1 Ordinary Share $100 bearer certificate measures 14”x 9.5”(36 x 23cm) and includes an attached full sheet of 40 coupons.  The certificate is dated 1911 and is in both English and French.  The Brazil Railway Company, headquartered in Portland, Maine controlled almost half of the railways in Brazil prior to 1917.   It was part of an international consortium of companies operated by American financier Percival Farquhar which controlled railways, steel mills, cattle ranches, mines and other industries in the United States, Latin America and Russia that was largely financed by European investors.  His empire crumbled when World War I cut off his main source of financing and resources.  In 1917 most of the companies lines were nationalized.  Its last line was nationalized in 1938.  The certificate was printed by Waterloo & Sons, Ltd. in London and bears Farquhar’s facsimile signature.   It is an impressive and historic stock certificate.

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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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SCARCE SILVER OLYMPIC COINS FROM BRAZIL

Brazil issued a series of beautiful sterling silver Proof 5 Reais coins to commemorate the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.  The 40mm coins have a mintage of only 25,000 each, contain .803 troy ounces of silver and come sealed in special capsules.  We have the following issues available: 2015 featuring rowing at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on the obverse and orchids on the reverse. 2015 depicting beach volleyball on Copacabana on the obverse and a Chorinho band playing a guitar, tambourine, ukulele and flute on the reverse. They are popular, hard-to-find, host country silver Olympic coins.

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ODD LITTLE COIN FROM THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA

The United States of Colombia (Estados Unidos de Colombia) issued this small, 14mm, copper-nickel 2 ½ Centavos dated 1881.  One side depicts a liberty cap, the other has the denomination and date.

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LEPER COLONY COINS FROM COLOMBIA

Leprosy was once a dreaded and incurable disease. Lepers were forced to live in remote, isolated colonies with virtually no contact with anyone, including family, from the outside world.   At one time it was feared that Leprosy could be spread by contamination of money.  In order to prevent this, Colombia issued special coins that circulated only within the three government run leper colonies: Agua de Dios, Caño de Loro and Contratación.  The coins all have similar designs featuring a large cross with the word “LAZARETO” (Leper) on one side and the denomination on the othe. r We are pleased to offer you three of these scarce leper colony coins from Colombia: the brass 5 and 10 Centavos dated 1901, which were the world's first leper colony coins, and the copper-nickel 1921 2 Centavos.  It was later discovered that leprosy was not spread by money and the introduction of antibiotics made the leper colonies unnecessary.   The leper colonies were closed in the 1950’s and the tokens redeemed. Today most are quite scarce as few were saved.

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SCARCE FIDEL CASTRO CUBAN REVOLUTION NOTE

This unusual 2 Pesos note was issued in the 1958 by Fidel Castro in order to raise funds for his guerilla army. The note commemorates the 5th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s failed attack on the Moncada Army Barracks on July 26, 1953.  The attack marked the start of Castro's revolution which finally overthrew the Cuban government in 1959.  One side of the note has a map of Cuba with the Cuban flag planted at Moncada. The other side includes a soldier, upraised fists holding bonds, and Fidel Castro's facsimile signature.  The note is Uncirculated but has minor moisture damage.

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CHE GUEVARA ON CUBA 3 PESO NOTE

Revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara is featured on both sides of this 2004 Cuban 3 Pesos banknote. His portrait is on the front, and an a picture of him harvesting sugar cane is on the back   Che was a close comrade to Fidel Castro and served in many rolls, including minister of industries, President of the National Bank, and deciding who gets executed by firing squads. It is an unusual denomination featuring a well-known communist hero.

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HONDURAS COIN SET

This four coin set from the Central American nation of Honduras includes the brass 5 and 10 Centavos dated 2006, the 1999 20 Centavos and the 2005 50 Centavos, both made of nickel-plated steel.  The 5 and 10 Centavos depict the denomination on one side and the national arms on the other.  The 20 and 50 Centavos depict Chief Lempira one one side and the national arms on the other.  Lempira united some 200 villages to lead a brave but unsuccessful war against the Spanish conquistadors.  Honduras honored him by putting him on coins and naming their currency after him.  All four coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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MEXICAN COINS AND BANKNOTES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN PAGE:

 COINS AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO

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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 Hernández de Córdoba, a Spanish conquistador who is the founder of Nicaragua and for whom their currency is named.  He established the Nicaraguan cities of Granada and León 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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ODD DENOMINATION COIN FROM PANAMA  

In 1940 Panama introduced a 1 1/4 Centesimos coin called a "Quartillo".  The odd denomination was supposedly to help the poor make change for small purchases.  Most likely it only confused them and everyone else.  A 1 Centesimo coin had been  minted since 1935 and there was not a 1/4 Centesimo, so there was no way to make change. The 20mm bronze 1 1/4 Centesimos was the same weight and only 1mm larger than the bronze 1 Centesimo.  The obverse depicts Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first European to cross Panama.  The reverse has the denomination in words. The coin was struck at the United States mint in Philadelphia.  It grades Very Fine though may have some minor spots.

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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 helped Panama gain its independence from Spain in 1821, before it joined the Colombian Federation. 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’S MEDICAL COMMEMORATIVES  

Panama released two circulating commemorative 1/4 Balboa coins in 2008.  One is for Breast Cancer Awareness and features a ribbon.  The other commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Children’s Hospital in Panama City and pictures the hospital.  Both feature the Panamanian arms on the obverse.

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PANAMA CELEBRATES CANAL

Panama recently released a circulating multi-color quarter Balboa commemorating the nation's famous canal.  One side of the coin features a colorized circle depicting a pair of workers digging on the canal.  Massive steam shovels and their gear teeth also appear in the design. The obverse features Panama's coat-of-arms.  The coins, struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, are the same size and metallic composition as a United States quarter dollar.   We also have available the 2000 dated 1 Centesimo struck to commemorate the canal, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the beginning of the 21st century.  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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WITH HEROES LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS VILLAINS 

This seven coin set from Paraguay features some of the nations top heroes. With heroes like these it is little wonder that the country has suffered so greatly over the years. The 1000 Guaranies pictures Francisco Solano Lopez, a 19th century megalomaniac whose rule nearly destroyed his country. He ruled the country as his own personal property, at one time he transferred most land in the country to his mistress. Fearful of any potential opposition, ordered the executions of his own brothers and had his mother and sisters tortured. He ordered the executions of cabinet ministers, judges, bishops, priests and most of the civil officers. He also attempted to have himself canonized by the local bishops. He started wars with Brazil and Argentina, known as the War of the Triple Alliance, which resulted in the near total destruction of his country, loss of vast amounts of territory as well as the loss of over half of its population. Some have estimated that up to 90% of the male population died as a result of the war. The reveres pictures the National Heroes Pantheon. The 500 Guaranies pictures General Bernardino Caballero. In 1881 he organized a coup to become President. He fathered 90 children outside of marriage. In 1886 he rigged the elections to assure his favored candidate would be chosen, and founded the Colorado party. The reverse pictures the Central Bank of Paraguay. The 100 Guaranies pictures General Jose E. Diaz, a hero of the War of the Triple Alliance, who died in battle. He was promoted to General an hour before his death. The reverse pictures Ruins of Humaita, The 50 Guarani depicts Major General José Félix Estigarribia. A military hero for his victory over Bolivia in the Chaco War, he was elected President in 1939. Six months later he suspended the constitution, dissolved the legislature and granted himself broad powers. In 1940 he died in an airplane crash. The reverse pictures the Acaray River Dam. The 10 Guarani depicts General Eugenio Alejandrino Garay, who lead several successful battles in the Chaco War despite his advanced age, and who was an accomplished journalist. The reverse pictures a cow. A generic Paraguayan woman holding a pot is on the 5 Guarani and a Paraguayan soldier is on the 1 Guarani. The top four denominations are dated 2007 or 2008, while the lower three denominations are brass-colored and are dated 1992 to 1996. All seven coins are Brilliant Uncirculated.

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1879 PROVISIONAL COIN OF PERU

PERUVIAN SILVER MEDAL CLAIMS PART OF CHILE!

ADMIRAL GRAU MONUMENT TOKEN FROM PERU

ADMIRAL GRAU ON PERUVIAN COINS

BOLIVIA COMMEMORATES THEIR LOSS OF ACCESS TO THE PACIFIC

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400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIMA MINT

Peru issued this attractive five coin set in 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Lima mint.  The mint, founded in 1565, produced thousands of tons of silver and gold coins, most of which were shipped to Spain or used in trade in the Orient.  The five coin set includes the 5, 10, 25, 50 Centavo and 1 Sol, all struck in brass.  The coins all bear the same design, with a representation of an early coin and the dates “1565 + 1965” on one side and the Peruvian arms and the denomination on the other.  It is an attractive and historic set.

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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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INFLATION NOTES FROM VENEZUELA   

Reduced size images By December 2016 Venezuela's inflation had spiraled out of control. In a desperate move the government suddenly demonetized the 100 Bolivares note, which was the highest denomination then in circulation.  The 100 Bolivares made up almost half of the value of currency in circulation. A new series of higher denomination notes, ranging from 500 to 20,000 Bolivares was introduced. Citizens were given 2 days to exchange their 100 Bolivar notes for higher denomination notes.  Unfortunately, the government did not have sufficient supplies of the new notes, resulting in chaos, confusion and hardships, especially for the poor who do their transactions in cash and had most of their meager savings in 100 Bolivares notes.  Those with close government or bank connections were spared the hardships.  The new notes utilized same designs as the notes that were already in circulation, but had higher denominations and different colors. The design of the 2 Bolivares was used on the 500 Bolivares, the 5 Bolivares design became the 1000 Bolivares, the 10 Bolivares design was used on the 2000 Bolivares,  the 20 Bolivares design was recycled on the new 5000 Bolivares, the 50 Bolivares design became the new 10,000 Bolivares and the 100 Bolivares design became the new 20,000 Bolivares. Even with the values increasing by 200 to 250 fold, the notes do not keep up with the rapidly increasing prices.   The notes are all dated August 18, 2016 and measure 69x157mm.  They represent a desperate measure by a desperate government that destroyed what was once one of the prosperous nations in South America.

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VENEZUELA 100,000 BOLIVARES INFLATION NOTE

Venezuela introduced a new high denomination 100,000 Bolivares banknote in November 2017 in response to the countries hyperinflation brought on by the governments economic and political mismanagement.  The Simon Bolivar is on the front of the note in a vertical format, and Red siskin birds are on the back in a horizontal format.  The same design was used on the previous 20,000 Bolivares and 100 Bolivares notes, but in a different color.  In an effort to disguise the galloping inflation, the denomination is spelled out in words, rather than the full numerical value. The notes are apparently in short supply "due to a shortage of paper" according to the government.  The note is expected to be replaced soon as Venezuela recently announced that it will revalue its currency.

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NEW 2018 VENEZUELA BOLIVAR SOBERANO COINS

In August 2018 Venezuela introduced two new coins, a 50 Centimos and a bi-metallic 1 Bolivar Soberano as part of a 100,000 to 1 currency revaluation. The new 1 Bolivar Soberano is equivalent to 100,000 of the previous Bolivar Fuerte, which was introduced in 2008.  The Bolivar Soberano was supposed to be a stable currency, tied to a Venezuelan crypto-currency called the Petro, which was supposedly valued at 1 barrel of oil.  Instead the nation’s hyperinflation is increasing, with prices doubling every few days.  The new 1 Bolivar Soberano coin is very similar to the old 1 Bolivar Fuerte coin, but is worth 100,000 times more! Both the 1 Bolivar coins are 24mm bi-metallic coins depicting Simon Bolivar facing left on the obverse and have the national arms, denomination and date on the reverse and both have the same lettered edge. The coins were minted by the Venezuelan government mint in Maracay and tend to be poorly struck.  The mintmark for the Casa de la Moneda de Maracay is to the right of Bolivar's neck.

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VENEZUELA'S NEW CURRENCY

On August 20, 2018 Venezuela did a 100,000 to 1 revaluation, replacing the worthless Bolivar Fuerte (Strong Bolivar) with the Bolivar Soberano (Sovereign Bolivar).  The value of the Bolivar Soberano is supposedly tied to the a crypto-currency created by the government of Venezuela called the Petro, with 1 Petro being equivalent to 1 barrel of oil.  In reality the currency was not tied to anything.  The socialist government of Venezuela continued its disastrous political and economic policies, resulting in frequent blackouts. lack of running water, and continued hyper-inflation in Venezuela, which some estimate at a million percent per year.  Eight denominations of Bolivar Soberano notes were released.  Like previous issues the fronts are in a vertical  format and depict national heroes.  The backs are in a horizontal format and depict native wildlife and national parks.    The 500 Bolivars depicts Simon Bolivar and the Venezuelan Troupial, which is the national bird.  The 200 Bolivars features Francisco de Miranda and the Military Macaw. The 100 Bolivars depicts Ezequiel Zamora and a Brown Spider Monkey.   It was nominated for the Banknote of the Year award.  The 50 Bolivars pictures Antionio Jose de Sucre and an Oncilla (tiger cat or Cunaguaro). The 20 Bolivars portrays Simon Rodriguez and a Jaguar. The 10 Bolivars depicts Rafael Urdaneta and a Giant Anteater.  The 5 Bolivars pictures José Felix Ribas and a Veragua stubfoot toad (Atelopus cruciger).  The 2 Bolivars features Josefa Camejo and a Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot.  The lower denomination notes are difficult to obtain as many people refuse to accept them due to their minimal buying power - the effort spent counting the notes is more than the notes are worth!  With increasing hyper-inflation,  political and economic instability in Venezuela the notes may not be around for long.

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Also see:
CURRENT HAITI COIN SET HONORS NATIONAL HEROES
 COINS AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO

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Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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