1⁄16 Peso


Silver (.903) (Copper .097)	1.5 g	14 mm

Description

Issuer	Costa Rica
Period	First Republic (1848-1948)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1850-1862
Value	1⁄16 Peso
Currency	Peso (1850-1864)
Composition	Silver (.903) (Copper .097)
Weight	1.5 g
Diameter	14 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#26373
Rarity index	86%

Reverse

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

Script: Latin

Lettering:
AMERICA CENTRAL
1/16 Po
10 Ds. 20 Gc. J. B.

Translation:
Central America
1/16 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 1850-1862 Costa Rican 1/16 Peso coin is that it was minted during a time of economic and political change in the country. The coin was introduced as part of a new decimal currency system that replaced the old Spanish colonial system, and it was minted in silver, which was a valuable and prestigious metal at the time. Despite its small denomination, the coin was an important part of everyday transactions and played a significant role in the economy of Costa Rica during this period.