Chile 1896 5 centavos

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This silver five centavos piece was minted in Santiago, Chile, in 1896 and 1899. It was the first five centavos to feature the condor design by French engraver Oscar Roty. The half decimo contained .036 troy oz of silver in 1851-59; by 1896 this had been reduced to .027 troy oz. The decline did not stop with this type; the coin shrank until it was converted to copper-nickel in 1920. Most dates are common. See also the very similar ten centavos.

Recorded mintage: 888,000.

Specification: 1 g, 0.835 fine silver, .027 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM 155.1.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1887 ½ décimo
• 1893 centavo
• 1895 5 pesos
• 1896 2½ centavos
• 1896 10 centavos
• 1896 peso
• 1896 10 pesos
• 1896 20 pesos
• 1899 5 centavos
• Coins and currency dated 1896
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