Peru 1879 20 centavos

from the Mountain Groan Collection

The specimen shown was struck in Brussels for Peru as a replacement for the normal silver 1/5 sol during the War of the Pacific against Chile. Similar copper-nickel five and ten centavos were also emitted and are much more common. The issue of the silver 1/5 sol, which ceased in 1875, resumed on a regular basis in 1888 and continued until 1917. There is a very rare issue from Arequipa dated 1885.

Recorded mintage: 498,000.

Specification: 10 g, copper-nickel, plain edge.

Catalog reference: KM 199.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Yabar Acuña, Francisco, Monedas Fiduciaras del Peru, 1822-2000, Lima, 2001.

Link to:

• 1867 1/5 sol
• 1873 sol
• 1879 2 centavos
• 1879 5 centavos provisional
• 1879 10 centavos provisional
• 1880 10 centavos provisional
• 1900 1/5 sol
• Coins and currency dated 1879
• return to coins of Peru