This survey focuses on the coins of the states that formed after the collapse of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Del Rio de la Plata: Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Spanish colony Viceroyalty of Del Río de la Plata declared its independence from Spain in 1816, declaring a new state the "United Provinces of South America," comprising 14 provinces. A little earlier, in 1811, during the war for independence, Paraguay separated from the Viceroyalty and became an independent republic, in 1816 Brazil annexed the territories later transformed into the Republic of Uruguay, and in 1825 the territories of Upper Peru separated from the "United Provinces" and became known as the Republic of Bolivar (Bolivia).
Argentina.
The first coins of the United Provinces of South America were issued in 1813, 3 years before independence from Spain was declared. These were silver ½, 1 and 8 reais, 1, 2, 4, 8 sols and gold 1, 2, 4, 8 escudos with the name of the state "Provincias Del Rio De La Plata" on the obverse and the motto "En Union Y Libertad" (In the Union and Freedom) on the reverse. Coins in denominations of 8 reais had a second name - "peso," inherited from the Spanish 8 reais of the colonial period.
It should be noted that even after independence, 9 out of 14 provinces continued to issue their own coins until the 70s of the XIX century. These are the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, La Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego) and Tucumán.
Since 1831, the country began to be called the Argentine Confederation, in connection with which in 1854 the issue of 3 copper coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 4 centavos took place. With the release of these coins, an attempt was made to switch to the decimal system - 100 centavos were equated to 8 reais (1 peso). However, the parallel circulation of all coins issued since 1813 continued until the next monetary reform. It should be noted that in the 19th century the peso had several varieties that were with different purchasing power, convertibility and not necessarily equivalent to each other, these are the "Strong Peso" (Peso fuerte, 1826-1881), "Running peso coin" (Peso moneda corriente, 1826-1881), "Golden and silver peso" (1881-1970), peso "national currency" (Peso moneda nacional, 1881-1970). For example, 1 peso of the national currency (patacón/patacón) equated to 8 reais or 25 pesos of "running coin."
In 1861, Argentina became a "Republic." By law No. 1130 of November 5, 1881, in 1881-1882, decimal denominations of 1, 2, 10, 20, 50 centavos and 1 peso were put into circulation, the design for which was developed by the famous French engraver Eugene Oudin . Local issues of provincial coins were prohibited.
KM # 32, 1 centavo 1890, bronze, 2.1 million ex. years 1882-1896
KM # 33, 2 centavos 1891, bronze, 8.1 million ex. years 1882-1896
KM # 26, 10 centavos 1882, silver 0.900, 778 thousand copies, years of manufacture 1881-1883
KM # 27, 20 centavos 1883, silver 0.900, 1.5 M ex, years 1881-1883
After the economic crisis of 1890, the issue of silver coins was discontinued. By law No. 3321 of December 4, 1895, they were replaced by copper-nickel alloy coins designed by the same Eugene Udin, which were produced for more than 40 years by the Buenos Aires Mint.
KM # 34, 5 centavos 1905, copper-nickel alloy, 4.4 million equivalent, production years 1896-1942
KM # 35, 10 centavos 1896, copper-nickel alloy, 1.9 MMex. production years 1896-1942
KM # 36, 20 centavos 1938, copper-nickel alloy, 6.4 million equivalent, production years 1896-1942
In 1941, by Decree No. 45 560 of October 27, 1939, the line was supplemented with a face value of 50 centavos on nickel blanks, and also again issued denominations of 1 and 2 centavos on bronze blanks, albeit with a significantly smaller diameter and with a new coat of arms on the obverse.
KM # 37, 1 centavo 1939, bronze, 3.5 MMex. production years 1939-1944
KM # 38, 2 centavos 1940, bronze, 4.6 million ex. years 1939-1947
KM # 39, 50 Centavos 1941, Nickel, 1 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
The 1 centavo coin from 1945 to 1948 was issued on copper blanks with the design preserved.
Due to the increased world needs for nickel for the needs of the military industry, Argentina could no longer issue coins on copper-nickel blanks, and Decree No. 119.976 of May 15, 1942, a new line of coins of average denominations of 5, 10, 20 centavos with a "peeping cow" made of aluminum-bronze alloy. Engraver - Frenchman Lucien Georges Bazor, mint - Buenos Aires.
KM # 40, 5 centavos 1945, aluminum-bronze alloy, 21.6 MMex. years of production 1942-1950
KM # 41, 10 Centavo 1942, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 15.5 MMex. years 1942-1950
KM # 42, 20 Centavo 1942, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 10.3 MMex. production years 1942-1950
Bolivia
In 1825, the province of Upper Peru seceded from the United Provinces of South America and declared its independence. At the head of the Republic was Simon Bolivar - a prominent Latin American revolutionary, the most influential and famous of the leaders of the war for the independence of the Spanish colonies in America, and in addition - the President of Greater Colombia (1819-1830), 1st President of Bolivia (1825), 6th President of Peru (1824-1827).
Simón José Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolívar de la Concepción y Ponte Palacios y Blanco (1783-1830)
In 1827, silver coins were issued with the name "salt" and its derivatives, as well as gold scudos (1 scudo = 2 pesos = 16 salt). These were coins of poor quality with a portrait of Bolivar, which was surrounded by the inscription "LIBRE POR LA CONSTITUCIÓN" (Free according to the Constitution). Since coins were minted by hand, there are a huge number of varieties and errors on coins of this period.
In 1864, the first issue of coins of the Republic in the decimal system took place. The line included copper 1 and 2 centesimos, silver 1/20, 1/10, 1/5 and 1 boliviano. The monetary unit was named after the same Simon Bolivar, who died in 1830. 10 boliviano were called bolivar. On the obverse of the coins is the name of the country REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA, on the reverse is the motto "LA UNION ES LA FUERZA" (Union is power). 1 boliviano tied to 5 French francs. When exchanged for 8 old salts, 1 new boliviano was given.
In 1870, the name of exchange coins changed from centesimo to centavo, as well as the name of the state to REPUBLICA DE BOLIVIA. The mintage of the second issue included denominations of 5, 10, 20 centavos and 1 boliviano. Coins were issued within two years.
In 1872, the third line of coins in the decimal system was put into circulation, which included denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 centavos and 1 boliviano. The name of the state REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA was returned to the obverse. Coins of this type with minor changes in the instructions of the denomination and the share of silver in them were issued until the end of the XIX century.
KM # 157, 5 centavos 1895, silver 0.900, 20 thousand exs. years of production 1872-1900
KM # 158, 10 centavos 1873, silver 0.900, years 1872-1900
KM # 159, 20 centavos 1890, silver 0.900, years 1872-1907
In 1878, copper 1 and 2 centavos were added to the line of silver coins. Each of the denominations was issued in two versions: with a numerical and letter indication of the denomination.
In 1883, small coins were issued for Bolivia at the Paris Mint. It was 1, 2, 5 and 10 centavos. Since the denominations of 5 and 10 centavos were similar in size to silver coins in denominations of 10 and 20 centavos, respectively, subsequently the circulation had to be withdrawn from the population and an industrial way to punch a hole in the center of the coin.
KM # 169.2, 5 centavos 1883, copper-nickel alloy, single year of manufacture
KM # 170.2, 10 centavos 1883, copper-nickel alloy, single year of manufacture
In 1892 and 1893, the Bolivian Republic ordered the minting of coins in denominations of 5 and 10 centavos on copper-nickel blanks at European mints and put them into circulation without updating the entire line of coins. These coins had parallel circulation with silver coins of the same denomination issued in the same period.
In 1892, the Birmingham Mint (Great Britain) issued coins in denominations of 5 and 10 centavos in a new design. Coins were issued for only one year.
In 1893, a new design was developed for coins in denominations of 5 and 10 centavos. Coins in this design were issued by the Paris and Birmingham mints until 1909.
KM # 173, 5 centavos 1907, cupro-nickel alloy, 2 M equivalent, production years 1893-1909
KM # 174, 10 centavos 1902, copper-nickel alloy, 8.5 million equivalent, production years 1893-1909
In 1900, the design of 50 centavos changes. The changes affected the appearance of the coat of arms of the Republic. Also, the face value of the coin was indicated not only in words, but also in numbers.
KM # 175, 50 centavos 1901, silver 0.900, issue years 1900-1908
In 1908, the boliviano was tied to the British pound sterling, for which they gave 12 ½ boliviano.
In 1928, a 1:1 monetary reform was carried out in Bolivia. In 1935-1939, in connection with this, coins in denominations of 5, 10 and 50 centavos were issued at the mints of Austria and Switzerland, repeating the design of the previous issue, but reduced in size.
KM # 178, 5 centavos 1935, copper-nickel alloy, 5 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 179.1, 10 centavos 1935, copper-nickel alloy, 10 M equivalent, years 1935-1939
KM # 182, 50 centavos 1939, copper-nickel alloy, single year of manufacture
In 1937, the Vienna Mint (Austria) issued two denominations - 10 and 50 centavos in the original design.
KM # 180, 10 centavos 1937, copper-nickel alloy, 20 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
In 1940, the boliviano was re-tied to the American dollar, for which they gave 40-55 boliviano during the exchange.
In 1942, at the Mint of Philadelphia (USA), coins were issued on blanks made of new materials: zinc and bronze. And here the shortage of strategic nickel affected. These were the last coins of Bolivia issued in denominations less than boliviano.
KM # 179a, 10 centavos 1942, zinc, 10 MMex. only year of manufacture
KM # 183, 20 Centavo 1942, Zinc, 10 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 182a.1, 50 centavos 1942, bronze, 10 million ex. only year of production
Paraguay
In the post-colonial period in the territory of modern Paraguay from 1813 to 1845, the Argentine real was used in the calculations. The first Paraguayan coin was 1/12 real, issued in 1845 by the mints of Birmingham (Great Britain) and Asuncion (Paraguay). Based on the law on minting national coins adopted on November 28, 1842, 16 silver reais were equal to 1 gold escudo.
KM # 1, 1/12 real 1845, copper, 2.9M ex, single year of manufacture
The reverse of the coin depicts the reverse of the coat of arms of the Republic of Paraguay - a golden lion sitting in front of a staff and a Phrygian cap with the national motto: "PAZ Y JUSTICIA" (Peace and Justice). Already in 1847, the face value of the coin was devalued to 1/24 of the real.
Despite the fact that the Paraguayan peso was put into circulation in 1856, the real continued to circulate in the ratio of 1 peso = 8 reais until 1870, when the decimal monetary reform was carried out. In the midst of a bloody military conflict with the Triple Alliance of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, by decree of the President of Paraguay of September 11, 1867, gold coins in denominations of 4 pesos were minted, almost the entire circulation of which never came into circulation.
After the conflict ended, in 1870 Paraguay carried out a monetary reform, according to which a national peso currency equal to 100 centesimo was introduced.
Copper coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 4 centesimo were minted by the Birmingham Mint (Great Britain) and put into circulation in 1870, and the silver peso in 1889.
KM # 2, 1 centesimo 1870, copper, single year of manufacture
KM # 3, 2 centesimo 1870, copper, single year of manufacture
This time, the obverse of the copper coins depicts the obverse of the national coat of arms - a yellow five-pointed star surrounded by a palm branch on the left and an olive branch on the right, which are tied together and surrounded by the name of the state "REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY."
In 1894, the Paraguayan peso was equated with the Argentine. Both currencies had legal force in Paraguay.
In 1900, Paraguay introduced coins with a new monetary unit - centavo and issued a line of copper-nickel coins of three denominations: 5, 10 and 20 centavo. Coins issued by the Mint of Buenos Aires (Argentina).
KM # 6, 5 centavos 1900, copper-nickel alloy, 400 thousand equivalent, production years 1900, 1903
KM # 7, 10 centavos 1903, copper-nickel alloy, 1.2 million equivalent, production years 1900, 1903
KM # 8, 20 centavos 1900, copper-nickel alloy, 500 thousand equivalent, production years 1900, 1903
The next line of coins of Paraguay was issued after 5 years. In the same denominations and material of blanks, but in a new design. Mint - Buenos Aires. Note that the coins alternate with the obverse/reverse of the national coat of arms from issue to issue.
KM # 10, 10 centavos 1908, copper-nickel alloy, 800 thousand equivalent, only year of production
The global economic crisis and the decline in production could not but affect Paraguay. In 1925, coins were issued in denominations of 50 centavos, 1 and 2 pesos. Coinage was ordered from the Huguenin factory in the Swiss city of Le Locle.
KM # 12, 50 centavos 1925, copper-nickel alloy, 4 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 13, 1 peso 1925, copper-nickel alloy, 3.5 M equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 14, 2 pesos 1925, cupro-nickel alloy, 2.5 M ex, single year of manufacture
In 1938, the same denominations were produced on aluminum blanks.
KM # 15. 50 centavo 1938, aluminum, 400 kEq, single year of manufacture
KM # 16, 1 peso 1938, aluminum, single year of manufacture
KM # 17, 2 pesos 1938, aluminum, single year of manufacture
In 1939, the line was supplemented with denominations of 5 and 10 pesos on copper-nickel billets.
KM # 18, 5 pesos 1939, copper-nickel alloy, 4 MMexe, single year of manufacture
KM # 19, 10 pesos 1939, copper-nickel alloy, 4 MMexe, single year of manufacture
Decree No. 655 of October 5, 1943, the Government of Paraguay initiated another monetary reform. As the main monetary unit, the peso is replaced by guarani, and the centavo is replaced by centimo, with an exchange rate of 1 new guarani = 100 old pesos .
In 1944, the National Bank of Paraguay issued coins in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos. The coins were ordered from the Buenos Aires Mint. A strategic nickel for issuing coins was not available here either, so the coins were issued on aluminum-bronze blanks.
KM # 20, 1 centimo 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 3.5 million ex. years of production 1944-1950
KM # 21, 5 centimo 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 2.2 million ex. years 1944,1947
KM # 23, 25 centimo 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 700 thousand equivalent, production years 1944-1951
KM # 24, 50 centimo 1944, aluminum-bronze alloy, 2.5 million ex. years of production 1944, 1951
The image of the national coat of arms was left only on the coin of the senior denomination - 50 centimo. The obverse of smaller denominations depicts flowers, each with its own:
1 centimo - flower of the guayava tree (Psidium guajava)
5 centimo - flower of the markuya tree (Passiflora edulis)
10 centimo - orange tree flower (Citrus sinensis)
25 centimo - ant tree flower (Handroanthus impetiginosus)
1 centimo - flower of the guayava tree (Psidium guajava)
5 centimo - flower of the markuya tree (Passiflora edulis)
10 centimo - orange tree flower (Citrus sinensis)
25 centimo - ant tree flower (Handroanthus impetiginosus)
Uruguay
Five years after independence from Spain, in 1816 the territories of modern Uruguay were occupied by the Brazilian Empire. After nine years of liberation struggle, in 1825 Uruguay became an independent, independent state.
Uruguay did not have its own coins until 1840. Before that, first Spanish (until 1817), then Brazilian (1817-1825) and Argentine (1825-1840) money were in circulation.
In 1840, denominations of 5 and 20 centesimo were issued, and in 1844, 40 centesimo and 1 pesos were added to the line. All coins were minted by the Montevideo Mint (Uruguay): centesimo on copper blanks, pesos on silver blanks 0.875 samples. In 1854 and 1855, the denominations of small circulating coins of 5 and 20 centesimo lose weight and are issued with a new design (the changed shape of the rays and the expression of the "face" of the Sun on the obverse are striking).
In 1857, a line of coins of 5, 20 and 40 centesimo was reissued, but already abroad, at the Lyon Mint (France). Coins minted with new stamps took on a clearer outline with elaborate small details.
On June 23, 1862, a decimal monetary reform was carried out in Uruguay. The national currency becomes the Uruguayan peso, equal to 100 centesimo and tied to the French franc (1 peso = 5 francs).
In 1869, the first coins with denominations of 1, 2 and 4 centesimos on bronze blanks were minted by the mints of Paris and Birmingham.
KM # 11, 1 Centesimo 1869, Bronze, 1 MM Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 12, 2 Centesimo 1869, Bronze, 3 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 13, 4 Centesimo 1869, Bronze, 6.3 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
In 1877, silver 0.900 samples of coins in denominations of 10, 20, 50 centesimo and 1 peso were minted to bronze trifles at the Paris Mint. In 1893, an order for the production of a circulation of 10, 20 and 50 centesimo coins of the same design was made by the Santiago Mint (Chile).
KM # 14, 10 centesimo 1877, silver 0.900, 3 million ex. years of production 1877, 1893
In 1901, instead of bronze coins, Uruguay issued a line of small coins in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 centesimos, made on copper-nickel blanks by the Paris Mint.
KM # 19, 1 centesimo 1936, cupro-nickel alloy, 2 M equivalent, production years 1901-1936
KM # 20, 2 centesimo 1924, copper-nickel alloy, 11 million equivalent, production years 1901-1941
KM # 21, 5 Centesimo 1909, Copper-Nickel Alloy, 5 M equivalent, production years 1901-1936
Coins in this design were also issued in 1909, 1924, 1936 and 1941.
Silver coins of 20, 50 centesimo and 1 peso, issued in 1916-1920, received an updated coat of arms on the obverse and a profile of the founding father of the Uruguayan Republic, Jose Artigas, on the reverse.
KM # 24, 20 Centesimo 1932, Silver 0.800, 2.5 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
20 centesimos were issued by the Santiago Mint (Chile), 50 centesimos and 1 peso by the Buenos Aires Mint (Argentina).
In 1930, the Paris Mint minted 2 commemorative coins dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Uruguay. These were aluminum-bronze 10 centesimo and silver 20 centesimo.
KM # 25, 10 Centesimo 1930, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 5 MMexe, Single Year
The design of the 10 centesimo coin was developed by the famous French medalist Pierre-Alexander Morlon. The obverse depicts a female image in a Phrygian cap - personifying the Republic, on the reverse - a walking cougar against the background of the rays of the rising Sun.
The 20 centesimo coin was made by another, no less famous French medalist - Pierre Turin. The obverse depicts the Republic sitting on the throne, next to a bunch of fascines and a tablet with the inscription "CENTENARIO DE 1830." The reverse depicts ears of wheat.
In 1936, a regular 10 centesimo coin was issued in the same design as the commemorative six years earlier, but without the corresponding inscriptions. Mint - Paris.
KM # 28, 10 Centesimo 1936, Aluminum-Bronze Alloy, 2 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
In 1942-1944, the mint of Santiago (Chile) issued another line of coins, which included coins in denominations of 2, 5, 20, 50 centesimo and 1 peso.
Coins in 2 and 5 centesimo have the same design as the previous issue, but new materials for blanks.
KM # 20a, 2 centesimo 1943, copper-tin-zinc alloy, 5 million equivalent, production years 1943-1951
KM # 21a, 5 Centesimo 1944, Copper, 4 M equivalent, years 1944-1951
Silver coins are released in a completely new design, but with recognizable plots.
KM # 29, 20 Centesimo 1942, Silver 0.720, 18 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 31, 50 Centesimo 1943, Silver 0.720, 10.8 M Ex., Single Year of Manufacture
KM # 30, 1 peso 1942, silver 0.720, 9 million ex. only year of production