⅛ Peso


Silver (.903) (Copper .097)	3 g	19 mm

Description

Issuer	Costa Rica
Period	First Republic (1848-1948)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1850-1855
Value	⅛ Peso (0.125)
Currency	Peso (1850-1864)
Composition	Silver (.903) (Copper .097)
Weight	3 g
Diameter	19 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#49161
Rarity index	85%

Reverse

Tree divides value. With legend at top. Fineness and assayer's initials at bottom.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
AMERICA CENTRAL
⅛ Po
10 Ds 20 Gc J. B.

Translation:
Central America
1/8 Peso
0.902777 Juan Barth

Engraver: Juan Barth

Comment

KM#101 - 103 coins were made in order to facilitate transition from the Real/Escudo system based in 8 to a decimal system that would later be the Decimalized Peso. With values equal to the common Real fractions (although a 1/4 Real equivalent was missing Costa Rica did never used any, so they didn't needed the Peso equivalent) as follows:

1/16 Peso = 1/2 Real
1/8 Peso = 1 Real
1/4 Peso = 2 Reales

From there decimal coins could be used for the remaining divisions.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the ⅛ Peso coin from Costa Rica (1850-1855) is that it was minted during a time of economic and political change in the country. The coin was introduced as part of a decimalization effort, replacing the old Spanish colonial system of reales and pesos with a new system based on the peso. This change was aimed at simplifying trade and commerce, and the ⅛ peso coin was one of the first coins minted under this new system. Despite its small denomination, the coin was made of silver and copper, indicating the value placed on it by the Costa Rican government at the time. Today, this coin is a sought-after collector's item, offering a glimpse into Costa Rica's rich history and economic development.