1 Real (¼ of Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark) ND (1865-1870) front 1 Real (¼ of Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark) ND (1865-1870) back
1 Real (¼ of Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark) ND (1865-1870) photo
© Stacks Bowers

1 Real ¼ of Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark ND

 
Silver - -
Description
Issuer
Paraguay
Period
Republic (1811-date)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1865-1870
Value
1 Real (0.125)
Currency
Cut and Countermarked coinage (1844-1872)
Composition
Silver
Shape
Quarter circle
Demonetized
24 February 1872
Updated
2024-10-07
References
Numista
N#354312
Rarity index
94%

Reverse

Quarter cut of a Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark

Script: Latin

Lettering:
PUBLICA
✰✰✰

Comment

Necessity issue created during the War of the Triple Alliance by cutting a Bolivia 4 Soles (1853-59) with a wavy edge. This variety does not include the Co counterstamp.

War of the Triple Alliance was a South American war fought from 1864 to 1870, between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin America's history. It particularly devastated Paraguay, which suffered catastrophic losses in population: almost 70% of its adult male population died, according to some counts, and it was forced to cede territory to Argentina and Brazil. According to some estimates.

The war began in late 1864, as a result of a conflict between Paraguay and Brazil caused by the Uruguayan War. Argentina and Uruguay entered the war against Paraguay in 1865, and it then became known as the "War of the Triple Alliance".

The war ended with the total defeat of Paraguay. After it lost in conventional warfare, Paraguay conducted a drawn-out guerrilla resistance, a disastrous strategy that resulted in the further destruction of the Paraguayan military and much of the civilian population through battle casualties, hunger and diseases.

During the War of the Triple Alliance (1865 - 1870) coins were cut into 2, 4 and 8 pieces by civilians acting as purveyors for the Allied Armies. They cut them with different edges: dented, smooth, or wavy, according to the kind of instrument used: others were countermarked with their punches, with letters or numbers.

The use of cut coins was abolished throughout the Republic by a Decree dated February 24, 1872.

https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-2221W/paraguay-war-of-the-triple-alliance-sole-nd-1844-62

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the Standard circulation coin 1 Real (¼ of Bolivian 4 Soles without countermark) ND (1865-1870) from Paraguay made of Silver is that it was minted during a time of economic and political instability in Paraguay. The coin was introduced in 1865, just a few years after the end of the Paraguayan War, which had devastated the country and its economy. Despite the challenges, the coin remained in circulation until 1870, indicating that it played an important role in the country's monetary system during that time.