Venezuela 1886 1/2 bolivar
Venezuela fully adopted a decimal coinage system in 1871, with 100 centavos = 1 venezuelano. By 1879, denominations were renamed centimos and bolivares, such that 100 centimos = 1 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 1886 half bolivar, minted in Caracas. The denomination is shown on the reverse as GR.2,5000. It was lot 25833 on Sept 9, 2011 at the Heritage Auctions 2011 September Long Beach Signature World & Heritage Coins Auction #3015 where it sold for $4,312.50. The catalog description[1] reads: "Republic 1/2 Bolivar 1886 Low 8, MS62 PCGS, attractive original patina, elusive in mint state."
Recorded mintage: 300,000.
Specifications: 2.50 g, 0.835 fine silver, 0.671 oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM Y21.
- 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.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Scott Cordry, Heritage sale 3014, World and Ancient Coins, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
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