Venezuela 1876-A 50 centavos
Venezuela fully adopted a decimal coinage system in 1871, with 100 centavos = one venezuelano. By 1879, denominations were renamed centimos and bolivares, such that 100 centimos = one bolivar. A crown was equivalent to five bolivares. The official title of the country from 1864 was 'Estados Unidos de Venezuela', a name it would carry until 1953, when the constitution mandated a return to the name 'Republica de Venezuela'.
Shown is a 1876 fifty centavos, minted in Paris. It was lot 1763 at a Daniel Frank Sedwick auction on Apr 9, 2010 and sold for $230. The catalog description reads: "Venezuela (Paris), 50 centavos, 1876-A, encapsulated ANACS F-15. Good strike (just a bit worn), with some contrasting toning, catalog value too low."
Recorded mintage: 158,000.
Specifications: 12.50 g, 0.835 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Y 15.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stohr, Tomas, El Circulante en la Capitania General de Venezuela, Caracas, Banco Central de Venezuela, 1998.
Link to: