I need a break from recent political developments and present this unusual coin and thus ground myself in history for a moment. It is a Venezuelan 10 Bolivar coin minted for general circulation only in 1973. It commemorates not Simon Bolivar (liberator of Venezuela from the Spanish, independence declared 1811), but the specific design of the obverve bust. The designing was contracted to, and completed, in 1873 by the artist Albert Désiré Barré (French). The bust has adorned almost all denominations of Venezuelan coinage ever since without any real modification. The coin itself is unusual in that the fields are convex, and the design elements on both sides are inset in concavities. The illusion of a rim is given by the 'denticles', which are actually incuse. República de Venezuela 10 Bolivares 90% Silver, 30g, 39mm dia. Obverse: bust of Simon Bolivar facing left Reverse: Coat of Arms Edge inscription (not shown): CENTENARIO DE LA EFIGIE DEL LIBERADOR EN LA MONEDA Minted at the Montreal Royal Mint, Canada
Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander liberated alot more than Venezuela. Originally Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador were all one country El Gran Colombia. All four of those countries still honor Simon Bolivar today. I personally have visited many museums and memorials for Bolivar and Santander in Colombia.
