Commems Collection World: 1882 Argentina 50 Centavos

Recent discussions of Argentina 50 Centavos coins enticed me to pull mine out for a bit of show-and-tell...

1882 Argentina 50 Centavos


The coin has a diameter of 30.1 mm and a weight of 12.5 grams (for comparison, a classic silver US half dollar has a fineness of 0.900, a diameter of 30.6 mm and a weight of 12.5 grams). The piece is part of the Peso moneda nacional series that was issued in Argentina from 1881 to 1969). This particular 50 Centavos coin, however, was issued only from 1881 to 1883 and was demonetized it 1896.

The obverse of the coin depicts the Coat-of-Arms of Argentina along with the date of issue. The reverse presents an allegorical, left-facing bust portrait of a female Liberty wearing a Phyrygian ("Liberty") cap; also included is the coin's denomination and indication of the planchet's silver fineness (i.e., 0.900). Both designs are credited to the artist/sculptor Eugène-Andre Oudine of France - the coins were struck at the Casa de Moneda - Buenos Aires (Argentina).

The design was shared across multiple denominations of Argentina's silver coins of the era. It can be found on the silver 10 Centavos (1881-83), silver 20 Centavos (1881-83), silver 50 Centavos (1881-83) and silver One Peso (1881-83). Variations of the design can also be found on the base metal 1 Centavos (1882-96) and 2 Centavos (1882-96) coins plus the gold 5 Pesos/Argentino.

My scans don't do the coin justice. In hand, it is a brilliant coin with beautiful cartwheel luster.

I like to collect depictions of Lady Liberty on coins, and this Argentina piece fits nicely!