South Peru 1837-Cuz BA 2 reales

from the Acanthite collection

from the Acanthite collection

from the Mountain Groan Collection

The specimen shown is a two reales struck at the Cuzco mint in 1837 for the short-lived state of South Peru. The mint was financially unsound, thus mint personnel debased the silver coinage in an effort to remain in operation. This confederation of Peru and Bolivia was broken up in 1839. Half reales, four reales, eight reales, half escudos, escudos and eight escudos are known for this state.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 6.5 g, 0.667 fine silver, 0.139 troy oz ASW (the low silver content accounts for the greenish color of the coin).

Catalog reference: KM 169.1.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1837 ¼ real
• North Peru 1837-L TM 8 reales
• South Peru 1837-BA 8 reales KM-170.1
• South Peru 1838 2 reales
• South Peru 1838 8 reales
• South Peru 1838-Areq MV 8 reales
• South Peru 1838 ½ escudo
• South Peru 1838-C MS escudo
• South Peru 1837-BA 8 escudos
• South Peru 1838-Cuz MS 8 escudos
• Coins and currency dated 1837
• return to coins of Peru