Farm Coins (1839-1945) Coin List
Guatemalan farm coins represent a fascinating chapter in the numismatic history of the Central American country. From 1839 to 1945, these unique pieces circulated in the large plantations and farms, serving as a means of payment for workers and reflecting the complex economic and social structure of the time.
Origin and characteristics of farm coins
The system of farm coins emerged in Guatemala as a response to the scarcity of official currency and the need of landowners to control the monetary flow within their properties. These coins, also known as farm tokens, were issued by plantation owners and varied greatly in design and material. Commonly made of metals such as brass, copper or aluminum, the tokens usually bore the name of the estate, its value and, on occasion, symbols related to the main crops such as coffee or bananas. The diversity of these pieces reflects the autonomy of the farms and the economic fragmentation of the country during this period.
Socioeconomic impact and decline
The farm coins played a crucial role in the Guatemalan economy, creating a monetary system parallel to the official one. This system allowed farm owners to exercise greater control over their workers, limiting their ability to spend outside the property and ensuring their dependence. However, it also generated problems of inequity and labor exploitation. The decline of this system began in the 1930s, with the implementation of labor and monetary reforms by the Guatemalan government. The Law for the Suppression of Vouchers and Tokens of 1945 marked the official end of farm coins, although their use persisted informally in some regions for years afterwards. Today, these tokens are valuable collectibles that offer a unique window into Guatemala's economic and social history.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable Farm Coins (1839-1945) 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 | 8 reales
Guatemala | 8 escudos
Guatemala | 8 escudos
Guatemala | 8 reales
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Guatemala
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