Venezuela 1989 5 bolivares

large letters obverse, small letters reverse, KM Y53a.1

from the Acanthite collection

small letters obverse, large letters reverse, KM Y53a.2

from the Acanthite collection

The name 'Republica de Venezuela' replaced 'Estados Unidos de Venezuela' on all coinage from 1953. Bolivar fractionals and multiples continued to be silver until 1965, at which point they were switched to nickel. Shown is a 1989 five bolivares, KM Y53a.1 was minted in Werdohl, Germany, while KM Y53a.2 was minted in Schwerte (Germany). The obverse features the portrait of Simon Bolivar, recognized as liberator of the Venezuelans from rule by the Spanish. The portrait was originally designed by Albert Barre in Paris. The reverse features the coat of arms, denomination, and date. Confusingly, the varieties have crossed obverse and reverse sizes. Fortunately, there is little difference in value between them. The one and two bolivares shown similar variation.

Recorded mintage: 100,000,000 struck at Schwerte plus 55,000,000 struck at Werdohl.

Specifications: 13.30 g, nickel-clad steel, 31 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM Y52a.1 (large letters) or Y53a.2 (small letters).

Sources:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1948 ¼ bolivar
• 1989 25 centimos
• 1989 50 centimos
• 1989 bolivar
• 1989 2 bolivares
• Coins and currency dated 1989
• return to Venezuela