Here is a new gold coin is just received 1926 Guatemala 10 Quetzales (NGC MS-61) The coin is named after the bird depicted on the coin which is a small bird of the parrot family. The bird is a symbol of freedom. This coin was minted in the US at the Philadelphia mint. Guatemala is one of only six countries in which circulating gold pieces were minted at a US mint. The others being Cuba, Costa Rico, Venezula, Mexico and Syria. The mintage of this coin is 18,000.
That is a very nice Guatemalan 10 Quetzales.I don't know of any other country that has a currency named after their national bird.The Quetzal (possibly pronounced 'kaytsal') is to Guatamala like the Hummingbird is to Trinidad & Tobago,& the Bird-of-Paradise is to Papua New Guinea. Aidan.
Hey Aidan, since you seem to know a lot about the bird.... is there any relation between its name and the name Quetzalcoatl from the ancient Aztecs? The question just popped into my head as I was sitting here! Thanks, AJM
Ajm229,yes there is some relation,but the Aztecs lived in Mexico & the Mayas live in both Guatemala & Belize.Have you heard the story about Hernan Cortez & the Aztecs? They thought that he was Quetzalcoatl, because Cortez had a white beard. Some Mexican coins do depict Quetzalcoatl.I can't think of which ones though. Aidan.
That's pretty cool. I'll have to keep an eye out for that coin. I like the bird as the design. Thanks for the info!
