50 centesimos 1971, aluminium-bronze, mintage - 58300000 pcs. Santiago Mint. The single release only. A portrait of the Manuel Rodriguez - national hero and one of the leaders of the Chilean Independence War.
1 escudo 1972, copper-nickel, mintage unknown. A coins of this type were minted at 1971-72 only. Santiago Mint. A portrait of Jose Miguel Carrera - on of the leaders of the Chilean Independence War and the Chilean dictator at 1811-1814.
5 escudos 1972, copper-nickel, mintage unknown. Santiago Mint. A coins of this type were minted at 1971-72 only. A portrait of Lautaro (Indian's chief of the struggle against a Spaniards at the second half of the XVIth century).
Here is a 1/2 real 1834 with the Volcano motif. I think this type is perhaps one of the most appealing of all chilean coinage.
I think, but I am not 100% sure, his is the only portrait to appear on any chilean coinage. This may be due to the strong republican traditions in the country being averse to the portrait of any person on the countries coinage. Chile waited about 100 years after O'higgins death before putting his image on coins. For those who may not know, Bernardo O'Higgins was the son of a creole lady and a spanish viceroy, who led the country to Independence from Spain in 1818.
Eduard, if someday you feel like getting into a new hobby, sell me you Chile coins. Seems like you have some good stuff there. :smile
A final note After the 2008 50 peso error, there was a batch of high relief 2009 50 pesos coins struck. They have clear details and are very lustrous with nice blue tone. Here is an example I found in circulation. Both coins have minimal wear. I have noted one for sale on the internet. A nice collectable.
1 peso 1949, copper, weight - 7,5 g., size - 25 mm, thickness - 2 mm, mintage - 7100000 pcs. A coins of this type were released at 1942-1954. Demonetized at January 1 1960.
5 centavos 1928, copper-nickel, weight - 2,1 g., size - 16,5 mm, thickness - 1,3 mm, mintage - 5197000 pcs. Engraver: Oscar Roty. Coins of this type were released at 1920-23, 1925-28, 1933-34 and 1936-38. Demonetized at January 1 1960.
That hammer and sickle on this coin and a few others from Chile made me wonder. I know that the symbol was introduced in Russia (then RSFSR) shortly after the October revolution, and then used in the USSR and some other communist countries. The funny thing is, you can also find it on this coin from 1895 for example: http://www.moneta-coins.com/photopost/data/600/Chile1895.jpg Guess it also refers to some kind of unity of farmers and (industrial) workers. But I am still surprised to see it on these early coins ... Christian
50 centavos 1942, copper, weight - 4 g., size - 20,5 mm, thickness - 1,66 mm, mintage - 4715000 pcs. Single release. Demonetized at January 1 1960.
