Guatemala 1958 5 centavos

from the Mountain Groan Collection

In 1925, the currency was reformed and the peso was dropped in favor of the quetzal (1 quetzal = US$1 = 60 pesos). The regime managed to maintain the parity with the dollar until the 1980's. The specimen shown is of a type struck for Guatemala in 1958-59. Short tailed and long tailed varieties exist for the quetzal and large and small dates are reported. This denomination was converted to copper-nickel in 1965.

Recorded mintage: 3,025,000.

Specification: 1.66 g, 0.720 fine silver, 15.5 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 257.2 or KM 257.3 (short tailed quetzal).

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th 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.

Link to:

• 1956 5 centavos
• 1958 centavo, high relief
• 1958 10 centavos
• 1960 5 centavos
• Coins and currency dated 1958
• return to coins of Guatemala