© thomasha (CC0)
© thomasha (CC0)
5 Centavos
| Copper-nickel | 2.5 g | 16.8 mm |
| Issuer | Peru |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (1822-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1879-1880 |
| Value | 5 Centavos (0.05 PEH) |
| Currency | Sol (1863-1985) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 16.8 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#7429 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 20% |
Reverse
From 1879 to 1884, Bolivia, Chile and Peru clashed in the War of the Pacific for control of huge piles of bird droppings (guano), mined for nitrates. Chile won, Bolivia became a landlocked nation, and Peru almost collapsed. During this war, Peru minted these cupro-nickel coins, which they called "provisional currency", in place of their usual silver coins.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MONEDA PROVISIONAL 5 CENTAVOS
Edge
Reeded
Interesting fact
The 5 Centavos coin from Peru, minted between 1879 and 1880, has an interesting feature. It was made of copper-nickel, a metal alloy that was commonly used in coinage during that time period. However, what makes this coin stand out is that it was one of the first coins to use a new method of minting called "milled coinage." This method involved using grooves or reeding on the edges of the coin to prevent counterfeiting and to make it easier for people to tell apart from other coins. This innovation in coinage helped to increase the security and authenticity of the coin, making it a unique and interesting piece of numismatic history.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | 12000000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1880 | 2000000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 5 Centavos 1879-1880 coin.
