Venezuela 1975 500 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 five bolivares. The name 'Republica de Venezuela' replaced 'Estados Unidos de Venezuela' on all coinage from 1953. Shown is a 1975 500 gold bolivares proof, minted in Caracas. It celebrates the nationalization of the oil industry. It was lot 25246 in Heritage Auctions 2012 January 2-3 World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction – New York #3016 where it sold for $23,000. The catalog description[1] reads: "Republic gold 500 Bolivares 1975, MS65 NGC, gem brilliant mint state, extremely rare type struck to commemorate the nationalization of the oil industry."
Recorded mintage: 100.
Specifications: 18.0 g, 0.900 fine gold, 0.5209 oz AGW, 30 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Y 54.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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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