Just about anyone living in the free world has heard of Simon Bolivar. I believe you know who he is too, but I think there is more you should know. Don't get all flustered up. I'm not presenting a history lesson, but will weave together bits of South American history involving numismatics. Bolívar is credited with contributing decisively to the independence of the present-day countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. He is revered as a national hero in those nations. Did you know he held the office of President in four of those states? He presided over Colombia (Dec. 17, 1819-May 4, 1830), Venezuela (Aug. 6, 1813-July 7, 1814), Bolivia (August 12, 1825-Dec. 29, 1825) and Peru (Feb. 17, 1824-Jan. 29, 1825). Not only was Bolivia named after Simon Bolivar, but its coinage is based on the Boliviano (10 Bolivianos = 1 Bolivar - 100 Centavos = 1 Boliviano) However Simon's bust never appeared on Bolivia's coinage until 1951 when it replaced Bolivia's coat of arms on the obverse of a bronze 10 Bolivianos piece. When you see the coin (photo courtesy of worldcoingallery.com), notice the denomination reads: Bs 10UN BOLIVAR(Bolivianos 10 ONE BOLIVAR) http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...186 10 Bolivianos (1951)&query=Bolivia km 186 As unique as the 1951 10 Bolivianos (40,000,000 struck) was, three silver coins struck in 1975 to commemorate Bolivia's 150th Anniversary of Independence are just as unique. The coins bear the conjoined heads of Simon Bolivar and Hugo Banzer Saurez (President in 1975) facing left on the reverses with the denomination below the busts. Note: the denominations are also spelled out on the reverses along the rim from 9 through 3 o'clock. Bolivia's coat of arms adorns the obverses spliting the commemorative dates 1825-1975. The obverses bear the Legend, "REPUBLICA DE BOLIVIA" and the tribute "SESQUICENTENARIO" on them. Photos courtesy of worldcoingallery.com: 1975 100 Pesos Bolivianos (0.3000 oz. ASW) 160,000 Minted: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1975) Banzer and Bolivar&query=Bolivia Banzer 1975 250 Pesos Bolivianos (.04499 oz. ASW) 140,000 Struck: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...rc=David Garcia H.&query=Bolivia Independence 1975 500 Pesos Bolivianos (0.6599 oz. ASW) 100,000 Made): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... yrs. Independence&query=Bolivia Independence Alphabetically we come to the coins of Columbia. Coins struck in silver from 1911 through 1942 bearing Simon Bolivar's head presents too many to cover in a "trivia" article, but I will give you links to a few so you'll have an idea of what they look like (all photos courtesy of worldcoingallery.com: 10 Centavos (0.0723 oz. Asw) Head Faces R: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Centavos (1911-1942)&query=Colombia km 196.1 20 Centavos (0.1447 oz. ASW) Head Faces R: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...20 Centavos (1911-1942)&query=Colombia km 197 50 Centavos (0.3617 oz. ASW) Head Faces R 1912-1933: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...50 Centavos (1912-1933)&query=Colombia km 193 The same silver denomination with same design (except Bolivar's head is rounder) was struck at Philadelphia (P mint mark) during 1916, 1917, 1921 and 1922. San Francisco (S mint mark) struck 50 Centavos in 1934: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...50 Centavos (1916-1934)&query=Colombia km 274 A change was made in the silver 50 Centavos in 1947 and 1948. Simon Bolivar is portrayed in uniform, bust (instead of just head), he faces right, silver content is less (0.2009 oz. ASW) and reverse changed to a large denomination within a circular wreath: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...50 Centavos (1947-1948)&query=Colombia km 209 Three important changes were made in 1958. The composition of the 50 Centavos became Copper-Nickel, Bolivar's head facing right returned and the coat of arms once again adorned the obverses through 1966 except those minted in 1960: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...50 Centavos (1958-1966)&query=Colombia km 217 1960 (Sesquicennial of Colombia's Independence) called for commemorative coinage to celebrate the event. Two dates were placed on the reverse (1810/1960) below Bolivar's head: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...sing Sesquicentennial&query=Colombia uprising. The Peso of 1967 (30mm 10-sided Copper-Nickel): http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...bia km229 1 Peso (1967)&query=Colombia km 229 The Copper-Nickel Pesos of 1974 through 1988 featured Simon's bust: 1974 and '5 featured a small date. '76 was minted in small and large dates :http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1974-1976) small date&query=Colombia km 258.1 1976 (large date) through 1981: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...1976-1981) large date&query=Colombia km 258.2 2 Pesos (23.8mm Bronze) of 1977 through 1988 bear bust and large date: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...263 2 Pesos (1977-1988)&query=Colombia km 263 2 1/2 Pesos 1919--1929 and 5 Pesos 1913-1930 featured Simon's head. All other Columbian coins featuring Simon Bolivar on either side are gold (proof only) coins. Coins of Venezuela bearing Simon Bolivar are numerous being that thet are Bolivar denominations. In fact they're so nunerous I'm only going to present a few. Most have the head of Simon Bolivar facing left. The coins range in denomination from 1/4 Bolivar through 20 Boliveres. 1/4 Bolivar: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... 1/4 Bolivar (1894-1948)&query=Venezuela y 20 One Bolivar: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...945)&src=John Holladay&query=Venezuela km 22a Two Bolivares: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... 2 Bolivares (1879-1936)&query=Venezuela y 23 Five Bolivares: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... 5 Bolivares (1879-1936)&query=Venezuela y 24 Five Bolivares: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...5 Bolivares (1989-1990)&query=Venezuela y 53a Ten Bolivares: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...10 Bolivares (1998-1999)&query=Venezuela y 75 1973, the Centennial of Venezuela's Independence, saw a special business strike commemoratrive silver (0.8680 oz. ASW) 10 Bolivares minted (2,000,000) at Ottawa (mint mark "O") to celebrate the occasion. When you see the coin you'll notice the coat of arms is within an inset and the denomination is pronounced to right with the purity of silver proclaimed at the bottom of the coin just inside the denticles. The reverse features Simon Bolivar inset facing the 100th Anniversary dates 1873 and 1973 with name below and left. http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Liberator on coins&query=Venezuela Liberator Here's two 20 Bolivares coins. Notice the different effects of the reverse (side w/Bolivar's head) compared w/other Bolivar coins: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...20 Bolivares (1998-1999)&query=Venezuela y 76 http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...y81 20 Bolivares (2000+)&query=Venezuela y 81 No 25 Bolivares featured Simon Bolivar.. 50 Bolivars, starting in 1998, bear Simon on them: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...50 Bolivares (1998-1999)&query=Venezuela y 77 100 and 500 Bolivares continued the traditional head facing left: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...y83 100 Bolivares (2001)&query=Venezuela y 83 http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...2 500 Bolivares (1999)&query=Venezuela y 79.2 A special 100 Bolivares was issued in 1980 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Bolivar's Death. The obverse features the Simon Bolivar Monument (courtesy of Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela). Scroll to coin photo: http://www.numismatica-venezuela.info/en/coins/mv100bs-ba.htm This 1983 100 Bolivares is a super coin. It features a 3/4 profile of Simon on its reverse with bookshelves in background and a building on the obverse (photo courtesy of Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela). Scroll to photos: http://www.numismatica-venezuela.info/en/coins/mv100bs-da.htm A gold 500 Bolivares was struck in proof only to commemorate tNationalization of the oil industry in 1975. (courtesy of Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela. Scroll to photos: http://www.numismatica-venezuela.info/en/coins/mv500bs.htm The 1000 Bolivares is a bimetallic (Copper-Nickel center in a Brass Ring: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...85 1000 Bolivares (2005)&query=Venezuela y 85 Another coin commemorating Simon's 200th Birthday, but this time a gold 3000 Bolibares (photos courtesy of Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela). Scroll to photos: http://www.numismatica-venezuela.info/en/coins/mv3000bs-aa.htm Our final coin featuring Simon Bolivar on one of its sides is this gold 10,000 Bolivares. (photos courtesy of Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela) scroll to photos: http://www.numismatica-venezuela.info/en/coins/mv10000bs-aa.htm Did you enjoy the read? Clinker
That coin looks quite attractive. Can't really say it is beautiful, but it sure is different mainly due to the shape and location of those insets. Now the independence anniversary would have been earlier; I think this piece commemorates 100 years of coinage featuring Bolívar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coins_of_the_Venezuelan_venezolano Yes, a nice design, with a very detailed obverse. As far as I know, that building is Bolívar's birthplace. Thanks for the interesting presentation! Amazing how many coins he is featured on. Christian
Great trivia, Clinker. Bolivar has appeared on Venzuelan coinage for almost 130 years. Chrisild is correct, the 1973 anniversary coin is to commemorate this particular usage of Bolivar's bust on Venezuelan coinage. I wrote a thread at CT on this previously: http://www.cointalk.com/t37190/ BTW, the Numismatic Catalog of Venezuela site is a great resource.
Hello Christian: Nice of you to share the wikipedia link. There are even more coins with Bolivar on them (most non circulating legal tender) issued by other S. American countries from time to time. clinker
Thank you chip: chrisild and acanthite added insight and authenticity to the article and now I proclaim it "ours" and not just "mine." clinker
