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.
Item
AR-07OIL ARGENTINA 2 PESOS 2007 100th
ANNIVERSARY OF OIL INDUSTRY, KM145 UNC. $4.00
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.
Item
AR-CONST ARGENTINA 2 & 5 PESO 1994
CONSTITUTION, KM114-115 XF-UNC.
$6.00
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.
Item
S-BZ-SET6 BELIZE 6 COIN SET 1 CENT - 1
DOLLAR 2000-2013 UNC. $7.00
OLD UNCIRCULATGED
"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.
Item BO-10C-37 BOLIVIA 10 CENTAVOS 1937
KM180
UNC.$8.00
WORLD WAR II
COINS OF BOLIVIA
STRUCK AT THE PHILADELPHIA MINT
This
three-coin set includes the zinc 10 and 20 Centavos and bronze 50
Centavos dated 1942. The coins were struck at the United
States mint in Philadelphia. The three coins have
similar designs. The obverses depict the Bolivian arms which
feature the Potosi mountain silver mine and an alpaca. The
reverses have a caduceus, the denomination and date. During World War
II Bolivia's mines supplied much needed tin to the Allies.
Bolivia did not declare war on Germany until 1943, by which time it was
becoming clear that the Axis powers were losing the war.
Bolivia did not send troops, ships or airplanes overseas to fight the
war.
Item
BO-WWIISET BOLIVIA 3 COIN SET 10, 20
& 50 CENTAVOS 1942 KM179a, 183 & 182a.1
XF-UNC.
$7.50
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.
Item BO-SET4 BOLIVIA SET OF FOUR 2
BOLIVIANOS 2017
UNC.
$19.50
For more War of the
Pacific items please see:
THE BIRD POOP TAX
WAR - THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC
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.
Item BO-SET65 3 COIN SET: 5, 10 & 50
CENTAVOS
1965 UNC. $3.00
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.
Item BR-SET89 BRAZIL 4 COIN SET 1 - 50
CENTAVOS 1989-90 KM611-614 BU $3.00
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.
Item
BR-SET16 BRAZIL SET OF 16 OLYMPIC 1 REAL
COINS, 2014-2016, BU
$65.00
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 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.
Item
BR-BAND BRAZIL SILVER 5 REAIS 2015 OLYMPIC
BEACH VOLLEYBALL / BAND PROOF $60.00
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.
Item
PM-CO-20P COLOMBIA 20 PESOS NOTE 1983 P409d
UNC. $3.50
CUBA'S CONFUSING COIN SYSTEMS
From 1994 until 2021 Cuba had unusual monetary system two different
coin and currency systems. The coins are not
inter-changeable, but both are called Pesos. Most Cubans are
paid in the regular Cuban Pesos, which can be used to buy basic
necessities. Tourists, government employees and Cubans with
overseas family that sent them hard currency used the Convertible
Pesos. The Convertible Peso could be used to buy goods and services
that were deemed to be "luxuries". In reality that meant just
about everything other than rice and beans. This encouraged
overseas family to send money to Cuba, yet allowed the government to
keep all the hard currency. We offer both sets of these
distinct Cuban coins. The regular Cuban Peso coins includes
the aluminum 1, 2, 5, 20 Centavos, brass plated steel 1 and nickel clad
steel 3 Pesos. The centavo coins feature a star the reverse.
The 1 Peso pictures Jose Marti and the 3 Peso pictures Che
Guevara. The Convertible Peso coins include the copper-plated
steel 1 Centavo, the stainless steel 5, 10, 25, 50 Centavos and 1
Peso. The coins depict famous Cuban
landmarks. The obverses of all the coins feature
the Cuban national arms.
Item
CU-PESO SET OF 6 CUBAN REGULAR PESO COINS, 1
CENTAVO-3 PESOS 2002-2015 UNC.
$15.00
Item
CU-CONV SET OF 6 CUBAN CONVERTIBLE PESO
COINS, 1 CENTAVO-1 PESO 2016-2028 UNC.
$20.00
MEXICAN COINS AND
BANKNOTES NOW HAVE THEIR OWN PAGE:
COINS
AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO
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.
Item
NI-19 NICARAGUA 50 CENTAVOS 1954 KM19a
BU $8.00
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.
Item
PA-17 PANAMA 1 CENTESIMO 1953 KM17 UNC. $3.00
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.
Item
PA-BRST PANAMA 1/4 BALBOA 2008 BREAST CANCER
KM137 BU $2.00
Item
PA-CHILD PANAMA 1/4 BALBOA 2008 CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL KM138 BU out
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.
Item
PA-1C-CANAL PANAMA 1 CENTESIMO 2000 CANAL-FAO,
KM132 BU $3.00
THE BIRD POOP TAX
WAR - THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC
It seems almost anything
can trigger a deadly war. The War of
the Pacific, also known as "The Saltpeter War" is an example
of this. In 1878 Bolivia decided to
levy a new tax of 10 Centavo per hundred pounds on bird droppings
(guano) mined by a Chilean company in Bolivia. Guano was an important
source of nitrates used for fertilizer, gunpowder and
explosives. The tax violated an 1874 treaty between Bolivia
and Chile, so Chile declared war on Bolivia in 1879. Under
the terms of a secret 1873 mutual defense pact Peru was obligated to
come to the assistance of Bolivia. By 1884 both Peru and
Bolivia were defeated by the smaller, but better equipped and
organized Chilean army. Over 25,000 men died in the conflict. As a
result of the war Bolivia became a land-locked nation, losing its
territory on the Pacific to Chile. Peru lost their southernmost
territory to Chile and almost collapsed. The dispute between Chile and
Peru was not finally settled until 1929, 50 years after the war
started.
Bolivia still today
claims sovereignty over the territory it lost 140 years
earlier. The following numismatic items
are all related to The War of the Pacific.
PERUVIAN
SILVER MEDAL
CLAIMS PART OF CHILE!
Peruvian
dictator Augusto Bernardino Leguia issued this silver medalette as part
of Peru’s Fiestas Patrias Great Military Parade Day in 1925.
The medalette calls for the return of El Morro Arica, which Peru lost
to Chile, along with the surrounding territory, 45 years earlier in the
War of the Pacific.
Since then the two nations had numerous unfruitful negotiations over
the status of the territories. Recovery of the lost territory
had long been a rallying point for Peruvian politicians. The
obverse depicts the coastal mountain El Morro Arica. It is the most
recognizable landmark in the area. Above it is the legend
"RECUPERAR EL MORRO"
(Recover El Morro) and
"A.B.LEGUIA".
In exergue is the date of the
event:
"29 JULIO 1925"
The reverse has the legend
"JUNTA
PATRIOTICA NACIONAL". In 1929 the two nations
finally came to
a formal agreement, El Morro and Arica province remained part of
Chile. The 22.8mm silver medal weighs 5.5 grams and
was made with a small hole at the top in order to suspend it from a
hanger or ribbon. The medalette is Uncirculated, though may
show some slight friction or bag marks. It is an unusual and
rarely seen piece.
Item PE-MEDAL PERU EL MORRO ARICA SILVER
MEDALETTE, 1925 $9.50
ADMIRAL
GRAU MONUMENT TOKEN FROM
PERU
Admiral
Miguel Grau is one of Peru's most honored heroes for his actions in The
War of The Pacific. Grau repeatedly attacked the
vastly superior Chilean
navy, severely disrupting the Chilean lines of supply and
communication. He captured or damaging a number of Chilean vessels. He
was called the "Gentleman of the Seas" for his chivalrous treatment of
his enemies. He was killed in action in October 1879. In 1934
Peru decided to build monuments honoring Admiral Grau in the cities of
Lima and Piura, the city where he was born. This copper 20
Centavos token was struck to help raise funds to build the
monuments. The 20mm token features the arms of Peru
and the legend "
FONDOS
PRO MONUMENTOS GRAU" (Money for Grau Monument). The other
side features the denomination and the date October 8, 1935.
Item PE-GRAUTKN PERU 20 CENTAVOS GRAU
MONUMENT TOKEN 1935
AU-UNC $7.50
ADMIRAL
GRAU ON PERUVIAN
COINS
In 1985 Peru instituted a
major monetary reform and introduced a new
monetary unit called the Inti to replace the heavily inflated Sol at a
rate of 1000
Soles to 1 Inti. Inti was the name of the Inca sun
god. This six coin set includes the 5, 10, 20, 50 Centimos 1 &
5 Intis dating between 1985 and 1988. All six coins depict
the same portrait of
Admiral Grau. The coins did not last long. Due to continued
inflation the Inti was replaced in 1991 at a rate of 1 Million Intis
to 1 New Sol.
Item PE-SET85 PERU 6 COIN SET 5 CENTIMOS - 5
INTIS
1985-88 UNC. $7.50
BOLIVIA
COMMEMORATES THEIR LOSS OF ACCESS TO THE PACIFIC
Ever since Bolivia's loss
of its
Pacific coast in the War of the Pacific in 1879, Bolivian politicians
have have used it as a rallying cry 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.
Item BO-SET4 BOLIVIA SET OF FOUR 2
BOLIVIANOS 2017
UNC.
$19.50
400th
ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIMA MINT
Peru issued commemorative coins in 1965 to honor the 400th anniversary
of the founding of the Lima Mint. The mint, was founded in
1565. Under Spanish control it produced thousands of tons of
silver and silver and gold coins, most of which were shipped to Spain
or used in trade in the Orient. The coins all have similar
designs, with a representation of an early coin of the mint and the
dates “1565 + 1965” on one side and the Peruvian arms and the
denomination on the other.
The 5, 10, 25, 50 Centavo and 1 Sol are all struck in brass.
Item
PE-SETMINT PERU 400th ANNIVERSARY OF LIMA
MINT 5 COIN SET: 5 CENTAVOS - 1 SOL, 1965 UNC. $9.50
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.
Item
PM-SR-SET5 SURINAME 5 NOTE SET 5 TO 100
DOLLARS 2010-20 P162-P166 UNC. $49.75
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.
Item
S-VE-SET7 VENEZUELA 7 COIN SET, 1
CENTIMO - 1 BOLIVAR
2007-2012 Y87-Y93 UNC.
$7.50
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.
Item
VE-SET2
VENEZUELA 25 Centavos 2011 & 50
Centavos 2010
COMMEMORATIVES, UNC.
$4.50
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.
Item
VE-SET16 VENEZUELA 10, 50 & 100
BOLIVARES, 2016
UNC.
$7.50
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.
Item
PM-VE-100K VENEZUELA 100,000 BOLIVARES
NOTE, 2017 UNC.
$5.00
Also see:
COINS
AND CURRENCY OF MEXICO
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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.
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.
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.
This
three-coin set includes the zinc 10 and 20 Centavos and bronze 50
Centavos dated 1942. The coins were struck at the United
States mint in Philadelphia. The three coins have
similar designs. The obverses depict the Bolivian arms which
feature the Potosi mountain silver mine and an alpaca. The
reverses have a caduceus, the denomination and date. During World War
II Bolivia's mines supplied much needed tin to the Allies.
Bolivia did not declare war on Germany until 1943, by which time it was
becoming clear that the Axis powers were losing the war.
Bolivia did not send troops, ships or airplanes overseas to fight the
war.
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.
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.
BRAZILIAN
RIO OLYMPIC COINS
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.
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.
Peruvian
dictator Augusto Bernardino Leguia issued this silver medalette as part
of Peru’s Fiestas Patrias Great Military Parade Day in 1925.
The medalette calls for the return of El Morro Arica, which Peru lost
to Chile, along with the surrounding territory, 45 years earlier in the
War of the Pacific.
Since then the two nations had numerous unfruitful negotiations over
the status of the territories. Recovery of the lost territory
had long been a rallying point for Peruvian politicians. The
obverse depicts the coastal mountain El Morro Arica. It is the most
recognizable landmark in the area. Above it is the legend "RECUPERAR EL MORRO"
(Recover El Morro) and "A.B.LEGUIA".
In exergue is the date of the
event: "29 JULIO 1925"
The reverse has the legend "JUNTA
PATRIOTICA NACIONAL". In 1929 the two nations
finally came to
a formal agreement, El Morro and Arica province remained part of
Chile. The 22.8mm silver medal weighs 5.5 grams and
was made with a small hole at the top in order to suspend it from a
hanger or ribbon. The medalette is Uncirculated, though may
show some slight friction or bag marks. It is an unusual and
rarely seen piece.
Admiral
Miguel Grau is one of Peru's most honored heroes for his actions in The
War of The Pacific. Grau repeatedly attacked the
vastly superior Chilean
navy, severely disrupting the Chilean lines of supply and
communication. He captured or damaging a number of Chilean vessels. He
was called the "Gentleman of the Seas" for his chivalrous treatment of
his enemies. He was killed in action in October 1879. In 1934
Peru decided to build monuments honoring Admiral Grau in the cities of
Lima and Piura, the city where he was born. This copper 20
Centavos token was struck to help raise funds to build the
monuments. The 20mm token features the arms of Peru
and the legend "FONDOS
PRO MONUMENTOS GRAU" (Money for Grau Monument). The other
side features the denomination and the date October 8, 1935. 
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.
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. 
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.
