Peru 1898 libra
This specimen was lot 3590 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $287.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "1898 1 libra. Lima mint. MS-65 (NGC). Native Indian head to right, legends around/sun above arms, branches, date below. Satiny orange gold with intense lustre and brightly reflective fields. From the John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942." The gold libra superseded the silver sol as Peru's main unit of currency in 1898. The libra weighed the same as a British sovereign and equalled ten soles. The type was struck until 1930 and again 1959-69, along with 1/5 libras and 1/2 libras.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common. The commonest date is 1917.
Specification: 7.99 g, 0.917 fine gold, .2354 troy oz AGW; this specimen: 7.99 grams, 21.80 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-73, KM 207.
- [1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Links to:
- Australia 1894-S sovereign
- 1897 sol
- 1898-VN ½ dinero
- Ecuador 1899 10 sucres
- 1899 libra
- Coins and currency dated 1898
- other specimens in The Eliasberg Collection
- return to coinage of Peru