Peru 1882-FN sol
This specimen was lot 73527 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Sol, 1882-LM FN. Lima Mint. NGC MS-61. Nearly white with few marks, yet wispy handling that determines the grade. A lesser-seen issue from this popular series." The specimen shown is one of a series struck 1879-84 at the Lima mint for Peru. There are many varieties and subtypes of this basic design and later issues were emitted 1888-97 and 1914-16. This date is common but the SCWC lists varieties KM 196.12, 196.13, 196.14, 196.15 ("F. D. on left side"), 196.16 ("FD at base of column"), 196.17 ("FD RB at base of column") for 1882. Assayer BF is recorded for 1881-82 and FN for 1882-83.
Part of the profusion of varieties for this date must be related to the War of the Pacific, which broke out between Peru and Chile in 1879. Chile quickly conquered the disputed nitrate provinces but Peru refused to give up. Chile was forced to occupy Lima in January 1881. Chilean forces remained in the Peruvian capital until October 1883 and we may assume that the mint operated under their control during that period.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-196.14.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Dollars of North and South America, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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