Bolivia 1863-PTS FP 1/2 sol
The Potosi mint produced standard weight half reales (1.69 g, 0.896 fine) of the colonial type until 1825. After independence, the weight was lowered to 1.5 grams (KM 93, struck 1827-29). In the 1830's and 1840's, Bolivia issued an enormous quantity of medio soles debased to .667 fine, all dated 1830 (KM 93.2a). These coins flooded South America and were denounced by Bolivia's neighbors, to no avail. Later types struck at Potosi and La Paz are also to this standard (KM 118 thru 133, struck 1853-59). The last half sol shown here, struck 1859-63, was 1.3 g, 0.903 fine silver (KM 133.2). The 1863/2 overdate shown here is priced lower than the regular date. In 1864, Bolivia converted to decimal coinage and the half sol was abandoned.
Recorded Mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 1.3 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 133.2.
- Almanzar, Alcedo, and Dale Seppa, Coins of Bolivia, 1820-1970, San Antonio, TX: 1970.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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