Chile gold and silver coins have been issued by the country’s mint since 1817, when Republicans who fought for independence took control of currency production. Despite all declarations proclaimed by the revolutionaries, the main monetary unit − the Chilean peso − was equal then to eight Spanish colonial reals and circulated in the country along with this currency. In addition, the country produced Argentine reals and escudos, as well as investment gold coins of 100 Chilean pesos. You can find all Chile gold and Silver coins in our catalog.
Silver coins of Chile
Before the peso was declared the official currency of Chile, silver coins from the period from 1817 to 1851 were issued in different denominations, but the quality of the material predominantly remained standard − 900. Below is a catalog of silver coins of Chile.
- Minted in 1817-1834, 1 peso denomination, diameter is 39.5 mm, weight − 27 g. An image of an erupting volcano (probably Mount Aconcagua) is engraved on the obverse of the coin there is a column with a globe on top as a symbol of independence. All 1 Peso Chile silver coins in our catalog.
- Minted in 1832-1834, ¼ real denomination, diameter is 11 mm, weight − 0.9 g. The obverse and reverse of this type of coins are incredibly poor − only the denomination and the year of issue are applied to them.
- Minted in 1833-1834, ½ real denomination, diameter is 17.5 mm, weight − 1.7 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of an erupting volcano (probably Mount Aconcagua), on the reverse side there is a column with a globe on top as a symbol of independence.
- Minted in 1838-1850, 1 real denomination, diameter is 21.5 mm, weight − 3.35 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an eagle with a beak tearing the chains.
- Minted in 1838-1851, ½ real denomination, diameter is 17 mm, weight − 1.6 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an eagle with a beak tearing the chains.
- Minted in 1839-1849, 8 reals denomination, diameter is 39 mm, weight − 26.7 g.
Coins of the period from 1851 to 1898 preserve the silver standard .835, however some small coins were minted with a purity of .500.
- Minted in 1851-1866, ½ decimo denomination, metal − silver .835, diameter is 15 mm, weight − 1.25 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a soaring eagle.
- Minted in 1879-1864, ½ decimo denomination, metal −l silver .500, diameter is 15 mm, weight − 1.25 g
- Minted in 1852-1859, 1 decimo denomination, diameter is 18 mm, weight − 2.5 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a soaring eagle.
- Minted in 1860-1894, 1 decimo denomination, diameter is 18 mm, weight − 2.3 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a laurel wreath framing the denomination note of the coin. All 1 Decimo Chile silver coins in our catalog.
- Minted in 1853-1862, 1 peso denomination, diameter is 37 mm, weight − 25 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a laurel wreath framing the national emblem.
- Minted in 1865, 1 peso denomination, diameter is 35 mm, weight − 22 g. On the obverse of the coin there is a note about the year of issue, there are no other decorations.
- Minted in 1867-1891, 1 peso denomination, diameter is 37 mm, weight − 25 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a laurel wreath framing the national emblem.
- Minted in 1896, 5 centavos denomination, metal − .835 silver, diameter is 14.5 mm, weight − 1 g.
- Minted in 1896, 10 centavos denomination, metal − .835 silver, diameter is 17 mm, weight − 2 g.
- Minted in 1852-1859, 20 centavos denomination, metal − silver .900, diameter is 23 mm, weight − 5 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a laurel wreath framing the denomination note of the coin.
- Minted in 1860-1862, 20 centavos denomination, metal − silver .900, diameter is 23 mm, weight − 4.6 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a soaring eagle.
- Minted in 1867-1893, 20 centavos denomination, metal − silver .500, diameter is 23 mm, weight − 5 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of an eagle sitting on a cliff.
- Minted in 1853-1862, 50 centavos denomination, metal − silver .900, diameter is 30 mm, weight − 12.5 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of a laurel wreath framing the country’s emblem.
- Minted in 1862-1872, 50 centavos denomination, metal − silver .900, diameter is 30 mm, weight − 12.5 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of an eagle sitting on a cliff.
Coins of the period from 1899 to 1959 are characterized by a general deterioration of silver quality used in the manufacture − the purity decreased from .900 to .400.
- Minted in 1902-1910, 1 peso denomination, metal − silver .900, diameter is 35 mm, weight − 20 g. On the obverse of the coin there is an image of an eagle sitting on a cliff.
- Minted in 1915-1917, 1 peso denomination, metal − silver.720, diameter is 27.5 mm, weight − 9 g.
- Minted in 1921-1927, 1 peso denomination, metal − silver.500, diameter is 29 mm, weight − 9 g.
- Minted in 1932, 1 peso denomination, metal − silver .400, diameter is 25 mm, weight − 6 g.
- Minted in 1927, 2 pesos denomination, metal − silver .500, diameter is 33 mm, weight −18 g.
- Minted in 1899-1919, 5 centavos denomination, metal − silver .450, diameter is 14 mm, weight −1 g.
- Minted in 1827, 5 pesos denomination, metal − .900 silver, diameter is 37 mm, weight −25 g.
- Minted in 1899-1918, 10 centavos denomination, metal − silver .450, diameter is 17 mm, weight − 2 g.
- Minted in 1899-1918, 20 centavos denomination, metal − silver .450, diameter is 21.5 mm, weight − 4 g.
- Minted in 1807-1908, 40 centavos denomination, metal − silver .400, diameter is 25 mm, weight − 6 g.
- Minted in 1802-1905, 50 centavos denomination, metal − silver .700, diameter is 28 mm, weight − 10 g.
From the mid-1930s and up to present time, Chile has only issued silver commemorative coins, regular coinage has been discontinued.
- Minted in 1993, 2000 pesos denomination, metal − silver.500, diameter is 26.2 mm, weight − 8.2 g. The coin is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the Chilean Mint.
- Minted in 1991, the Discovery of America coin, 10,000 pesos denomination, metal − .925 silver, diameter is 40 mm, weight − 27 g.
Chile Gold Coins
Coins produced in the Chilean Mint of early issues were distinguished by the purity of gold thanks to the gold standard, which was valid until 1932. After the abolition of the standard, the country issued only investment gold 100 pesos coins.
- Minted in 1824-1845, 1 escudo denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 19 mm, weight − 3.3 g. During this period gold coins with different obverse design were issued: on the coins of 1824-1834, a column with a globe on the top, and on the coins of 1838, a hand, lying on a book with an inscription on the spine of a “constitution” is engraved. Further, until 1845, the coins with the image of a warrior were minted.
- Minted in 1824-1845, 2 escudos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 22 mm, weight − 6.7 g. The design of coins of different years is similar to 1 escudo denomination.
- Minted in 1824-1839, 4 escudos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 29 mm, weight −13.5 g. The design of coins of different years is similar to 1 escudo denomination.
- Minted in 1818-1851, 8 escudos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 37 mm, weight − 27 g. The design of coins of different years is similar to 1 escudo denomination.
Coins of the period from 1851 to 1898 are distinguished by the purity of gold − they all withstand the standard .900. On the obverse of all the coins, unless otherwise indicated, the image of a warrior is engraved.
- Minted in 1860-1873, 1 peso denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 14 mm, weight − 1.52 g.
- Minted in 1856-1875, 2 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 17 mm, weight − 3.05 g
- Minted in 1851-1873, 5 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 22.5 mm, weight − 7.63 g
- Minted in 1851-1892, 10 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 28.5 mm, weight − 15.25 g
- Minted in 1896-1917, 20 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 27 mm, weight − 11.98 g. The obverse of the coin features an engraved image of a young woman as a symbol of the free republic of Chile. All 20 Pesos Chile gold coins in our catalog.
From 1890 to the present time, Chile does not issue too many gold coins. On the obverse of all the coins, unless otherwise indicated, the image of a young woman is engraved as a symbol of the free republic of Chile.
- Minted in 1898-1911, 5 pesos denomination, metal − gold .917, diameter is 15.5 mm, weight − 2.99 g.
- Minted in 1896-1901, 10 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 21 mm, weight − 5.99 g.
- Minted in 1926-1959, 20 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 18.5 mm, weight − 4.08 g
- Minted in 1926-1966, 50 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 24.5 mm, weight − 10.17 g
- Minted in 1926-1980, 100 pesos denomination, metal − gold .900, diameter is 31 mm, weight − 20.34 g
Cost of coins
Coins of Chile are popular among investors and collectors from all over the world. Nowadays, gold coins of 100 pesos denomination are difficult to find on the free market, and at auctions their price ranges from 550 to 1,400 $ USD. As for silver coins, their price ranges from 50 $ USD per coin.
Interesting Facts
- In 1960, Chile underwent a monetary reform, as a result of which the peso was abolished. An escudo was introduced instead, which cost 1,000 pesos. The reason for such changes was that the peso was constantly depreciating, and the introduction of a new currency gave hope to the government of the country to avoid further inflation. However, the escudo suffered the fate of the peso, it began to depreciate, and it was canceled in 1975, again switching to the old currency.
- Officially, the cost of the Chilean peso is 100 centavos, while at the same time there are no centavo-denominated banknotes or coins in the country today, since they were abolished because of inflation back in 1983. In addition, the inflation led Chilean banknotes of 5, 10, 50 and 100 pesos denominations out of circulation. They were replaced by coins from an alloy of nickel and copper, but more often − pure copper.