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Although Bolivia is not considered a wealthy country,
they have some of the most beautiful and interesting coinage of Latin America. Bolivian
coins are sought after by collectors of Latin America due to the varied portraits of Simon
Bolivar: liberator of the northern part of the continent from Spain.
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Liberators Latin America's Struggle for Independence 1810-1830 Robert Harvey, 2000.
This is an excellent reference on the Liberation of Latin America during this period.
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8 soles, 1827
Military Bust (1827 - 40) KM# 97
very select uncirculated NGC-63
(Alex Siegel Houston, 2006) |
This is a lifetime issue of Simon Bolivar and his 1st portrait coin. As such a lot of
care was taken on the design and strike, contrary to latter issues made after his death.
The Whittier collection
contained no Bolivian 8 soles issued before his death in 1830. However it did have a mint state 1827 2 soles which also had a lot of
obverse detail.
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There is one style of Military Bust and several styles of Civilian Bolivar Busts on the coinage of the early Republic.
Simon Bolivar, featured on this coin, had suceeded in defeating the Spanish Colonial Forces but was trying to keep newly
independent Gran Colombia from breaking up. |
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8 soles, 1831
Military Bust
select uncirculated
(Alex Siegel Houston,
1997) |
8 soles, 1838
This is the typical posthumous issue with low relief.
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8 soles, 1846
First Civilian Bust (1841 - 48)
KM# A103, uncirculated
(Alex Siegel Houston,
1997) |
This coin was out of some famous numistmatist's collection,
I have to try & find out who it was.
While hardly a specialist on these types this one looks more like KM# 103 than KM# A103
to me. Type # A103 has the obverse of # 97 (see above). Please advise anyone???
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8 soles, 1851 Civilian Bust KM# 109
choice uncirculated
Ex: Paul Karon's Collection
Ex: Alex Siegel Collection |
col2 .
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col 3.
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8 soles, 1852
Civilian Bust "Bolivar on base" KM# 112.1
select uncirculated NGC-62
bought from Paul Brombal c. 2001
from Alex Siegel Houston, 2006
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col2 .
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col 3.
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1 reale, 1856/5
Bust of Simon Bolivar w/ name on base
(none)
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8 escudos, 1856 MJ
Bust of Simon Bolivar w/ name on base
choice unc
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The very next year Bolivia stopped |
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8 soles, 1862
Laureate (Civilian)Bust of Simon Bolivar
(none)
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Melgarejo, 1 Melgarejo 1865
select uncirculated, with planchlet
flaw obverse (Alex Seigle) |
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Although this is an inexpensive coin circulated, fully ms specimens are difficult to locate.
Alongside of the 1 Mel, 1/2 and 1/4 Melgarejo denominations were issed, apparently for regular circulation. These are available
in unc but I've not yet been able to get one (despite buying & returning one piece advertized & priced as choice unc). |
