Colombia 1852-B real
This specimen is an example of a decimal one real struck in Colombia (then called Nueva Granada) in 1852. The type was struck 1851-53. Unlike Mexico, which converted directly from 8 reales = 1 peso to 100 centavos = 1 peso in the 1860's, Colombia took a roundabout route to decimalization. The first one reales of the independent Nueva Granada (1827-36, KM 87) were 3.1 g, 0.666 fine. Thus, when this coin appeared, the populace were resigned to underweight coins and were probably unimpressed when they were told that ten reales made a peso instead of the former eight. A modified design was issued 1851-53 (shown here) and then the coin was redesignated a décimo, struck 1853-58 (KM 115). Later décimos and ten centavos of 1868-86 were 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .072 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 112.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Restrepo, Jorge Emilio, Monedas de Colombia, 1619-2006, Medellin, Colombia: Impresiones Rojo, 2006.
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