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 later into 100 centavos. These currencies reflected republican and federalist ideals. Although they aimed to consolidate monetary stability, their context was marked by economic crises, metal shortages, and political tensions, making them more of an attempt at modernization than 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 : Engraved, with the legend: GOD I GAVE FREEDOM
Design and representation of the currency
Obverse: The obverse of the Colombian 1 Peso coin (1862–1868) features a heraldic design centered on the national coat of arms, supported by a majestic condor with outstretched wings, a symbol of liberty and vigilance. The legend “ESTADOS UNIDOS DE COLOMBIA” (United States of Colombia) encircles the upper edge, while nine eight-pointed stars appear at the bottom, representing the nine states that comprised the federation. The edge has a decorative serrated cord that enhances its aesthetic appeal and authenticity.
Reverse: The reverse of the 1866 Colombian 1 Peso coin features the inscription “BOGOTÁ” or “POPAYAN” at the top, indicating the mint of issue. In the center, the legend “UN PESO” is engraved in prominent letters, followed immediately below by the year of minting. The entire design is surrounded by a majestic laurel wreath composed of two branches intertwined at the base with a ribbon. At the bottom of the coin appears the legend “LEI 0,900 ,” indicating the purity of the metal (90% silver), a key element for its numismatic valuation. The coin's edge is decorated with a serrated cord that highlights the contour and contributes to its security and aesthetic appeal.
Symbolism of each design element: The design of the Colombian Peso from 1862–1868 is imbued with patriotic and economic symbolism that reflects the values of the young republic. On the obverse, the Andean condor with outstretched wings represents vigilance, liberty, and national sovereignty. The nine stars at the base represent the federal states that comprised 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 at the Bogotá Mint , the country's main mint during that period. However, some pieces, 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 silver fineness indication. Coins issued in Popayán include the mint mark corresponding to that city (such as “POPAYAN”) , which clearly distinguishes them from those produced in Bogotá. This distinction 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 Numista
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.
