Guatemala 1859 2 reales
This specimen was lot 35383 in Heritage sale 3038 (Dallas, January 2015), where it sold for $176.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic 2 Reales 1859 VG/F. A most elusive one year type. From The Santa Maria Collection." This is the first silver two reales struck in Guatemala since the issue of colonial two reales ceased in 1821. Guatemala retained the real as a division of the peso until 1912, long after her neighbors had converted to decimal coinage. Indeed, attempts by the government in the 1870's to issue decimal coins (such as the 50 centavos of 1870) were failures. The portrait is of Rafael Carrera, cattle rustler, bandit, guerrilla leader and finally President of the Republic. The coin is very scarce. Two reales dated 1860-69 exist with el Presidente's portrait.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.2 g, 0.903 fine silver, .180 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 133.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Robinson, Charles, The Coins of Central America, 1733-1965, San Benito, TX: 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3038, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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