Chile 1979 peso

from the Mountain Groan Collection

The specimen shown is an example of a type struck in Santiago, Chile, in 1978-79. In 1960, the peso was dropped in favor of the escudo, with 1 escudo = 1000 pesos. The escudo itself was abandoned in 1975 for a return to the peso, with 1 new peso = 100 escudos. This design was reduced to 2 grams in 1981 (KM 216.1) then converted to aluminum in 1992 (KM 231). The effigy of Bernardo O'Higgins, hero of the struggle for independence, was first used on copper pesos of the 1940's.

Recorded mintage: 63,000,000 (common in all grades).

Specification: 5 g, aluminum-bronze, 24 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 208a.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1976 peso
• 1977 10 pesos
• 1978 10 centavos
• 1979 100 pesos
• 1979 gold onza
• 1981 peso
• Coins and currency dated 1979
• return to Chile