Peru 1971 50 soles

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This fifty soles commemorated the 150th anniversary of independence, which blissful state was not actually attained until 1826, when the Spanish were driven out. The gold fifty soles was terminated just the year prior but its bullion value had far exceeded its face value from the year it was introduced in 1950. The next issue of this denomination was in 1979 and was aluminum bronze for the masses. The grim-faced visage shown here is that of Tupac Amaru, leader of an early rebellion against the Spanish, for which he was betrayed to the colonial authorities, tortured, executed and his corpse mutilated. He also appeared on five and ten soles for 1971.

Recorded mintage: 100,000.

Specification: 21.45 g, 0.800 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: KM 256.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Yabar Acuña, Francisco, Monedas Fiduciaras del Peru, 1822-2000, Lima, 2001.

Link to:

• 1970 gold 50 soles
• 1971 5 centavos
• 1971 sol
• 1971 5 soles, Tupac Amaru
• 1971 10 soles, Tupac Amaru
• 1980 aluminum-bronze 50 soles
• Coins and currency dated 1971
• return to coinage of Peru