El Salvador 1861 25 centavos KM-Pn1
This specimen was lot 40183 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, August 2026), where it sold for $12,810. The catalog description[1] noted, "Exceedingly Rare El Salvador Peso Overstruck on 1857 25 Centavos, EL SALVADOR. Silver 25 Centavos Pattern, 1861. NGC EF-40. An EXTREMELY RARE Pattern in silver, this 25 Centavos Pattern does not appear with any appreciable frequency, this alluring specimen provides a novel and unadopted Pattern design, adding to the overall appeal. This piece shows modest handling, with much appreciable appeal retained, and clear evidence of the understruck type. A piece that would be a phenomenal addition to any collection of Salvadoran coinage. Ex: Richard Stuart Collection." This pattern 25 centavos is listed in the SCWC in brass. Numista says the dies were made in Paris. The design is strongly influenced by the Guatemalan coins of the 1850's, with its bold portrait of the caudillo, but it was not produced. Regular coinage did not begin for El Salvador until 1892.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9 g, brass, 24 mm diameter; this example struck on a United States quarter of 1857 (host coin 6.22 g, 0.900 fine silver, .180 troy oz ASW, 24.3 mm diameter, reeded edge).
Catalog reference: cf. KM-Pn1 (in brass).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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