The 1 Boliviano silver coin, minted between 1864 and 1869, is key to understanding the transition of the Bolivian monetary system towards decimalization, and today it stands out for several dates that have become "key" to the series.
History of the Bolivian Silver Coin (1864)
In 1864, the Boliviano was introduced into a decimal system, with 1 Boliviano subdivided into centésimos. The 1 Boliviano coin thus became an early symbol of the country's monetary modernization and a subject of study prized by collectors of Latin American silver.
One little-known detail is that The stars that appear on the coin represent the departments of Bolivia at that time..
Coin characteristics
The 1 Boliviano coin is minted in 0.900 silver, weighs 25 grams (approximately 0.7234 oz of fine silver), and is produced at the Potosí Mint (PTS). The most common assayers, identified by their initials, are FP and FE, and within the series there are variations in type, assayer, and overdate.
KM 152.1 (1864-1868): Large 9-star type
The Bolivian 1 Boliviano coin of this type is recognized by its obverse with 9 stars and a diameter of around 36–36.5 mm. It is the basis for the first dates (1864-1866) and continues with combinations and a relevant overdate (1866/5).
KM 152.2 (1867-1869): reduced size of 11 stars
The Bolivian 1 Boliviano coin has been reduced in diameter to 35 mm and now features 11 stars. In addition to combining assayers (FP and FE), some auction dates and lots show medal rotation, adding an extra layer of technical interest for collectors.
The rarest dates in the series
Although the Bolivian 1 Boliviano coin includes regular dates between 1864 and 1869, the rarest and most sought-after pieces are concentrated in specific variants:
1867 PTS FE (error “BOLIVIAN REPUBLIC”) – extreme rarity
The 1 Boliviano coin of 1867 with assayer FE presents a legend error (“BOLIVIAN REPUBLIC”), listed at auction as “extremely rare error”. This type of error piece is considered to have very limited survival and is highly collectible.
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1868/7 PTS FE – coveted and scarce overdate
The 1 Boliviano coin with the overdate 1868/7 (assayer FE) is described as a "coveted and scarce overdate," with references to its very low presence in straight-graded specimens according to major certification services. Within the series, it is understood to be a die variant that appears in part of the annual mintage, which reinforces its rarity.
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1869 PTS FE – reported print run under
The 1869 Boliviano coin with the assayer's mark FE stands out due to its reported mintage of 260,000, significantly lower than other reported values within this range. For the series, this makes 1869 FE a key date in terms of production volume and relative rarity.
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Why are these dates strange?
- Legend errors: They are usually corrected quickly, producing a very small number of specimens and low survival.
- Overdates: They are linked to specific dies that are used during a limited part of the year; therefore, their availability is lower compared to the "regular" date.
- Printing: A reported low print run (such as 1869 FE) reduces the potential number of surviving pieces, especially in medium-high qualities.
Importance for collectors
For collectors of Bolivia's 1 Boliviano coin, these rare dates offer the perfect balance of history, technique, and acquisition challenge. The serious collector typically prioritizes three levels: completing both types (KM 152.1 and KM 152.2), adding assayers (FP and FE), and culminating with the overdates and errors, which are the true "trophies" of the 1864-1869 period.
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