Guatemala 1865-R real
This is the third silver real struck in Guatemala since the issue of colonial 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 common is circulated condition. One reales dated 1859-69 exist with el Presidente's portrait. For 1865, two varieties are noted; KM 137.1 (shown here) with the engraver's name below the bust and KM 137.2, without. KM 137.1 is given a slight premium.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3 g, 0.903 fine silver, .087 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 137.1.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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