Venezuela 1901 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 5 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 1901 half bolivar, minted in Paris. The denomination is shown on the reverse as GR.2,500. It was lot 25232 in Heritage sale 3016 (New York, January, 2012), where it sold for $1,265. The catalog description reads: "Republic 1/2 Bolivar 1901, AU55 NGC Norweb Collection, variety with the Paris privy marks, extremely scarce 1901 variety incorrectly labeled 1900 on the NGC holder. Highly lustrous with subtle original patina, very light handling in the obverse fields."
Recorded mintage: 600,000.
Specifications: 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, 0.0671 oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM Y21.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Tucker, Warren, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Scott Cordry, Heritage sale 3016, World and Ancient Coins, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
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