Republican Era (1852-1871) Coin List
The Republican Era in Guatemala, which lasted from 1852 to 1871, was a period of important political and economic changes that were reflected in the country's numismatics. During these years, Guatemala experienced a transition in its monetary system, moving from the old colonial denominations to a new decimal system.
Evolution of the monetary system
In 1859, under the government of Rafael Carrera, a significant monetary reform was implemented. The Guatemalan peso was introduced as the main monetary unit, divided into 100 centavos. This reform sought to modernize and standardize the country's monetary system. The first coins minted under this new system included denominations of 1/4, 1/2 and 1 real, as well as 1, 2 and 4 reals. These coins had the Guatemalan coat of arms on the obverse and the face value on the reverse, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The minting quality improved notably during this period, reflecting the desire to project an image of a modern and prosperous nation.
Coin Characteristics and Symbolism
The coins of the Republican Era in Guatemala were characterized by their rich patriotic symbolism. The Quetzal, the national bird, began to appear in some issues, symbolizing freedom and Guatemalan identity. In addition, commemorative coins were minted to celebrate important events, such as the victory over the filibusters in 1856. These special pieces often featured more elaborate designs and were minted in precious metals. Toward the end of this period, in the 1860s, the first penny-denominated coins were introduced, marking a complete transition to the decimal system. The quality and consistency in the minting of these coins reflected the effort to establish a stable and reliable economy in the Central American country.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable Republican Era (1852-1871) coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Old coins of Guatemala
To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of Guatemala.
Colonial Period 1524-1823 Federal Era 1823-1829 Farm Coins 1839-1945 Republican Era 1852-1871 Reform Era 1872-1893 Liberal 1894-1924 Modern 1924-?Coin Catalog
Guatemala | 1/4 real
Guatemala | 1 real (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 2 reales (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 1 peso (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 1 peso (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 16 pesos (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 10 pesos (Rafael Carrera)
Guatemala | 20 pesos (Rafael Carrera)
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Guatemala
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