Peru 1960-ZBR 1/5 libra
This specimen was lot 72677 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $204. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. 1/5 Libra, 1960-ZBR. Lima Mint. NGC AU-58. An attractive offering of this near-Mint State example. Well struck with minimal signs of handling." The gold libra superseded the silver sol as Peru's main unit of currency in 1898.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. This division of the libra was introduced in 1906 and struck until 1930 and again 1953-69, along with ½ libras and libras. The post World War Two issues are not found in circulated condition and were probably struck and sold as bullion coins. This coin is very close to the well-known Mexican dos pesos of 1945.
Recorded mintage: 6,083.
Specification: 1.59 g, 0.917 fine gold, .047 troy oz AGW, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: Fr-75; KM-210.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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