Argentina 1978 20 pesos
This specimen promotes Argentinian participation in the World Cup of soccer, which Argentina hosted and eventually won. This type was issued 1977-78 during Argentina's second currency reform. Argentina was to suffer from bouts of hyperinflation for forty years, impoverishing a once prosperous region. In 1970, 100 old pesos = 1 new peso; in 1983, 10000 pesos = 1 peso argentino; in 1985, 1000 pesos argentinos = 1 austral. Another reform would occur again in 1992. The regime doubtless hoped that soccer fever would distract the populace from the government's oppression and incompetence.
Recorded mintage: 2,000,000.
Specification: 5 g, aluminum bronze, 20 mm diameter, plain edge.
Catalog reference: KM 75.
- Janson, Hector Carlos, La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino, 1767-1998, Buenos Aires, 1998.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to: