Obverse: REPUBLICA PERUANA LIMA .9 DECIMOS FINE R.D. 1885
Reverse: FIRME Y FELIZ PORLA UNION UN SOL

Obverse counter-stamped: 0.835 1894 (LIBERTAD 15 DE SETIEMBRE DE 1821)
Reverse counter-stamped: REPUBLICA DE GUATEMALA ½ REAL LAGRANGE (30 DE JUNIO DE 1871)

Obverse for Peru Un Sol (1885)

The obverse is emblazoned with the coat of arms of Peru, which is represented with Peruvian symbols, such as the national animal of Peru, the llama-like Vicuña (the South American version of a camel). To the right is the Peruvian national tree (a quina tree), and below is a cornucopia overflowing with coins, symbolizing Peru’s great wealth of precious metals. On the outer periphery are the words "REPUBLICA PERUANA" and "LIMA" (for the Lima Mint).

Reverse for Peru Un Sol (1885)

Peruvian Seated Libertad (Liberty) Sol (Sun). The reverse features a seated Lady Liberty holding a scepter topped by a Liberty Cap and a shield emblazoned with a radiant sun. In front of Liberty is a column topped with a wreath and wrapped with a ribbon on which is written the word “LIBERTAD”. On the upper outer periphery is the motto "FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNION" or "Steady and happy for the union". On the lower outer periphery is the denomination "UN SOL".

Obverse

Sitting Liberty to the left with cornucopia filled with flowers in the other hand a balance leaning on a column with 30 DE JUNIO DE 1871 on it around REPUBLICA DE GUATAMALA bottom 1/2 PESO stamped on a peso of Peru Sitting Liberty to the right holding Liberty cap and in the other hand a shield, behind on the right side a column with a wreath on it, tossed around the column a band with LIBER TAD incuse on it FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNION bottom UN SOL.

Reverse

Letter with LIBERTAD 15 DE SETIEMBRE DE 1821 on it between branches behind it to guns and crossing swords on top sitting Quetzal to the left bottom 0,368 1894 stamped on 1 peso of Peru Shield of Peru between branches on top a wreath, REPUBLICA PERUANA LIMA 9 DECIMOS FINO letters of the mint, bottom year.

Types

Type 1 - Composition of 90% Silver 10% Copper and reverse design has the words “9 DECIMOS FINO” or “9 Tenths Fine”. Weight 25 grams (0.7234 oz. actual silver weight) Minted from 1864 to 1916

Type 2 - Composition of 50% Silver. Weight 25 grams (0.4019 oz. actual silver weight) Minted from 1922 to 1923. (NO Decimos Fino words on obverse)

Type 3 - Composition of 50% Silver and reverse design has the words “5 DECIMOS FINO” or “5 Tenths Fine”. Weight 25 grams (0.4019 oz. actual silver weight) Minted from 1923 to 19135

Major Varieties

From 1863 to 1916, each obverse design featured two initials after the words “9 DECIMOS FINO”. The initials used were:

YB, YJ, LD, BF, FN, BD, RD, TD, TF, BR, F, JF & FG

Counter-stamped

Republica de Guatemala ½ Real (1894)

It has been counterstamped ½ Real Guatemala, exergue 1894, Krause catalog number KM#165.

By 1894, foreign coins had become so prevalent that on August 10, 1894 the government authorised their counter-stamping at the mint, with the official ½ Real dies of 1894, to legitimize their circulation.

Engraver was Jean Lagrange (countermark).

Mint Assayers Initials

The letter(s) following the dates of Peruvian coins are the assayer's initials appearing on the coins. They generally appear at the 11 o'clock on the colonial coinage and at the 5 o'clock position along the rim on the obverse or reverse on the republican coinage.

For this coin, the assayer initial is R.D.

Catalog Additional Information

Krause KM#196.22 Type X; Santiago Mint. Libertad incuse. Many minor die varieties exist.