The Colombian Silver Peso, minted between 1862 and 1868, is one of the most iconic coins of the early Republican period. Issued under the name of the United States of Colombia, this 1-peso coin is highly prized by collectors for its distinctive design, metallic purity, and historical context. Its relative scarcity and symbolic value make it a key piece in Latin American numismatics.
History of the Colombian Silver Peso
After adopting the decimal system in 1847 (under the Republic of New Granada), Colombia established the peso, divided into 10 reales and then 100 centavos. These coins reflected republican and federalist ideals. Although they sought to consolidate monetary stability, their context was marked by economic crises, metal shortages, and political tensions, making them more of a attempt at modernization which is a complete achievement in an era of transition between centralism and federalism.
Technical Specifications and Dimensions
Diameter: 37 mm
Weight in grams: 25 grams
Characteristics of the song: Engraving, with legend: GOD GIVEN FREEDOM
Design and representation of the currency
Obverse: On the obverse of the Colombian 1 Peso coin (1862–1868) there is a heraldic design centered on the national coat of arms, supported by a majestic condor with outstretched wings, a symbol of freedom and vigilance. The legend “UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA” surrounds the top edge, while at the bottom appear nine eight-pointed stars, representing the nine states that made up the federation. The edge features a decorative serrated cord that reinforces its aesthetic and authenticity.
Back: On the reverse of the 1 Peso Colombian coin from 1866, the inscription can be seen at the top “BOGOTÁ” o “POPAYAN”, indicating the mint of issue. In the center, the legend “ONE WEIGHT” It is engraved in prominent letters, followed immediately below by the year of minting. The entire piece is surrounded by a majestic laurel wreath composed of two branches intertwined at the base by a ribbon. The legend appears at the bottom of the coin. “LEI 0,900”, which indicates the purity of the metal (90% silver), a key element for its numismatic valuation. The coin's edge is decorated with a serrated bead that highlights the contour and contributes to its security and aesthetics.
Symbolism of each design element: The design of the Colombian Peso from 1862–1868 is loaded with patriotic and economic symbolism that reflects the values of the young republic. On the obverse, the Andean condor with outstretched wings represents vigilance, freedom, and national sovereignty. The nine stars at the base represent the federal states that made up the United States of Colombia, underscoring the ideal of unity in diversity. The reverse complements this message with an elegant laurel wreath that symbolizes republican glory and triumph.
Composition of the Currency
The coin maintains a constant purity of 90% silver (0.900 fineness) throughout its issuance period. This high purity standard reflects the government's intention to establish a strong and reliable currency, in line with international monetary practices of the time.
Manufacturing Mints and Mint Marks
Most of the coins in this series were minted in the Bogota Mint, the country's main mint during that period. However, Some coins, such as the 1 Peso coin of 1863, were produced at the Popayán Mint..
On coins minted in Bogotá, the mint mark “BOGOTA” appears on the reverse, along with the indication of the silver grade. In coins issued in Popayán, the mint mark corresponding to that city is included (such as “POPAYAN”), which allows them to be clearly differentiated from those produced in Bogotá. This identification is key for authentication and classification by collectors.
Below is a table with relevant minting information, including the year and number of coins minted:
| Year | coinage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1862 | 55 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1863 | 18 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1863 | Popayán Mint | |
| 1864 | 104 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1865 | 122 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1866 | 91 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1867 | 44 000 | Bogota Mint |
| 1868 | 17 000 | Bogota Mint |
Information partially obtained from numist
How to identify mint marks
The mint marks are located on the reverse of the coin, at the top. Each coin bears the city where it was minted: Bogotá or Popayan, respectively.
Current Numismatic Value
The value of these coins varies depending on the year of issue and their state of preservation:
Examples of auction prices
- 1 Peso 1864, from the Bogotá Mint, AU55, reached $492.00 US dollars in 2024
- 1 Peso 1863, from the Bogotá Mint, AU58, reached $480.00 US dollars in 2023
The Colombian Silver Peso (1862–1868) is more than a coin; it is a tangible testament to the history and values of a nation in formation. Its design, purity, and historical context make it invaluable for collectors and numismatic scholars. We invite readers to explore more about Colombia's rich monetary history and other iconic coins on our website.
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Some images shown in this article were obtained from Stack's Bowers, for illustrative and educational purposes.
