1 Peso (Counterstamped coinage) 1894 front 1 Peso (Counterstamped coinage) 1894 back
1 Peso (Counterstamped coinage) 1894 photo
© rcastillo

1 Peso Counterstamped coinage

1894 year
Silver (.900) 25 g 37 mm
Description
Issuer
Guatemala
Period
Republic (1841-date)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Year
1894
Value
1 Peso
Currency
Peso (1859-1912)
Composition
Silver (.900)
Weight
25 g
Diameter
37 mm
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled, Counterstamped
Orientation
Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#75243
Rarity index
95%

Reverse

Stamp: Reverse (Justice) from "1/2 Real" from 1894
Host coin: Bust of Christopher Columbus left with name at top, value and legend at bottom

Script: Latin

Lettering:
• CRISTÓBAL COLÓN •
REPUBLICA DE GUATEMALA
30
DE
JUNIO
DE
1871
½ REAL
LAGRANGE
UN PESO
AMÉRICA CENTRAL

Translation:
Christopher Columbus
Republic of Guatemala
30th June 1871
Half Real
One Peso
Central America

Comment

By 1894, foreign coins had become so prevalent that on August 10, the government authorized their counter-stamping at the mint, with official 1/2 Real of 1894, to legitimize their circulation.

All dates are from host coins. All were stamped in 1894.

Host coin: El Salvador 1 Peso 1892-1893
Stamp dies: Guatemala ½Real 1894

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the 1894 Guatemalan 1 Peso coin is that it features a unique counterstamp, which was added to the coin as a way to verify its authenticity and value. The counterstamp bears the initials "J.M." (for "Jefe de la Moneda," or "Chief of the Mint") and a small image of a tree, which was the symbol of the Guatemalan mint. This counterstamp was applied to the coin after it was minted, and it helped to prevent counterfeiting and ensure the coin's legitimacy.