Venezuela 1901 5 bolivares
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 five bolivar, minted in Paris. The denomination is shown on the reverse as GR.25. It was lot 25238 on Jan 3, 2012 at the Heritage Auctions sale 3016 (New York, January 2012) where it sold for $2,185. The catalog description[1] reads: "Republic 5 Bolivares 1901, EF40 ANACS, nicely struck with very little wear evident, dark toning on both sides. Very rare low-mintage date in this quality."
Recorded mintage: 90,000.
Specifications: 25.0 g, 0.900 fine silver, 0.7234 oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM Y24.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, Cristiano Bierrenbach and Scott Cordry, Heritage sale 3016, World and Ancient Coins, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
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