Guatemala 1860-R 4 reales

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This is the first silver four reales struck in Guatemala since the issue of colonial four 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. Despite the tiny mintage, the coin is only somewhat scarce. Silver four reales dated 1861 and 1863-69 also exist as well as gold four reales of 1860-64.

Recorded mintage: 4,760.

Specification: 12.5 g, 0.903 fine silver, .363 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM 136.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Raymond, Wayte, The Coins of Central America, Silver and Copper, 1824-1940, New York: Wayte Raymond Inc., 1941.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1860 ¼ real
• 1860 gold 4 reales
• 1861 2 reales
• El Salvador 1861 peso
• 1861 silver four reales
• 1861 gold 4 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1860
• return to coins of Guatemala