BOLIVIA.

In 1825 the southern portion of Peru, under the leadership of General Sucre, established an independent Republic which took the name of Bolivia, in honor of the great South American liberator, Bolivar.

From the foundation of the Republic until 1863 the old Spanish monetary system was retained in Bolivia. The new coinage law of 1863 replaced the earlier Peso of 8 Reales, with a new unit on the decimal system, the silver Boliviano of 100 centavos. The new unit was of 25 grams weight and 900 thousandths fine, and therefore the equivalent of the 5-franc piece of the Latin Union. Coinage of the Boliviano has long been suspended and the active unit of the country is the 1/5 Boliviano, or 20-centavo piece, equivalent of the Franc.

The types of the coins of Bolivia are, on obverse, the bust of Bolivar; on the reverse, for the gold coins, a view of Mount Cerro de Potosi and the sun rising behind it, in front of the mountain stands a llama; the reverse of the silver coins presents a cocoa tree, beneath which lie two llamas.

The series of Bolivian coins embraces several commemorative pieces in special honor of Bolivar, of President Belzu, and of numerous events of national importance.

The coinage of nickel was introduced in 1883.

The mint of Bolivia is at Potosi, the mark of which is .

INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC, 1825.

1. Onza, 1831. Obv. LIBRE POR LA

CONSTITUCION.

Bust of Bolivar, in uniform, to right; below bust, BOLIVAR. Rev. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. Mount Cerro, with the sun rising behind it; to left, a llama; to right, a sheaf of grain; below ★★★★★★ | §. 8S. 1831. J. L. Edge, obliquely hatched. 36 mm.; 416 grs. Pl. XIII, 4.

2. Media onza, 1852. Medallic coin in honor of President Belzu. Obv. LOS IMPLEADOS DE POTOSI. Liberty, seated to right, holding an infant in her lap and placing her hand upon a boy who stands beside her; to left, oval arms of Bolivia; below, AL PRESIDENTE M. Y. BELZU. Rev. PROVIDENCIA PERSEGUE

EL CRIMEN. A hand grasping a flaming sword extends from the clouds and threatens a man who flourishes a burning brand and two serpents. 28 mm.; 208.5 grs.

3. Cuarta de onza, 1841. Obv. Legend as No. 1; nude bust of Bolivar to right. Rev. Similar to No. 1, but reading 2 S. 1841. L. R. beneath the arms. 23 mm.; 104.5 grs.

YNGAVI.

4. Cuarta de onza, undated. Obv. POTOSI TRASMITE A LA POSTERIDAD. An Indian, with feather turban, walking to left, a quiver over shoulder, and olive branch in left hand, blowing a horn; in front of him a llama, lying to right. Rev. LA GLORIA DEL VENCEDOR DE INGAVI. A hand, with BALLIN inscribed on arm, supports a column surmounted with a flag; the whole within a wreath of laurel and palm. 23 mm.; 104.5 grs.

5. Escudo, undated. Obv. GRATITUD DE LOS EMPLEADOS DE SUCRE. A dove, flying, with olive branch in beak. Rev. AL ILUSTRE VENCEDOR DE INGAVI. A column, between laurel branches, with rosette at top. 18 mm.; 52.5 grs.

6. Escudo, 1856. Obv. LIBRE POR LA

CONSTITU

CION. Nude bust of Bolivar, laureated, to right; on bottom of bust, BOLIVAR. Rev. Legend and type similar to No. 1, but reading 1 S. F. 1856. J. beneath arms. Edge, obliquely hatched. 18 mm.; 52 grs.

7. Escudo, 1868. Obv. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. Arms of the Republic; below, on border, ★★★★★★★★★ ★★. Rev. LA UNION ES LA FUERZA. Within a laurel wreath, 1 | ESCUDO | 50 Gs. | 9 D. FINO; beneath, 1868. F.E. Edge, obliquely hatched. 17 mm.; 38

grs.

8. Medio escudo, 1840. Similar to No. 1, but reading 1/2S. 1840.L.R. below arms on reverse. 14 mm.; 25.5 grs.

9. Medio escudo, 1841. Similar to No. 3, but reading 1/2S. 1841.E.R. below arms on reverse. 14 mm.; 26.2 grs.

10. Medio escudo, 1844.

Similar to No. 9, except date.

Similar to No. 6, but reading . 1/2.

11. Medio escudo, 1851.
1852. F. P. below arms on reverse.

12. Medio escudo, 1854. Obv. M.Y.BELZU PRESID. CONSTITUCIONAL. Bust of President Belzu, to left, above clouds, within wreath of laurel branches; below,

1854. Rev. LA PATRIA AL Y.DEFENSOR DE SU INDEPA. Female, standing facing, with an infant in right arm, and a child standing at each side of her. Edge, obliquely hatched. 15 mm.; 26 grs.

13. Medio escudo, 1868. Similar to No. 7, but reading 1/2 | ESCUDO | 25 GS | 9 DS FINO | within wreath on re

14. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1825. Jeton.

Obv. SIMON BOLIVAR LIBERTADOR DE COLOMBIA Y DEL PERU. Bust of Bolivar in uniform, to right. Rev. POTOSI MANIFESTA SU GRATITUD AL GENIO DE LA LIBERTAD. Mount Cerro de Potosi, with the city at the base, and the rising sun above; below, 1825. Edge, reeded. 43 mm.

15. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1827. Obv. LIBRE POR LA CONSTITUCION. Laureated bust of Bolivar, in military uniform, to right; beneath, BOLIVAR. Rev. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. A cocoa tree, beneath which lie two llamas, vis-a-vis; above, ★★★★★★; below, P 8S.1827.J.M. Edge, reeded. 38 mm.; 416 grs. 16. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1834. Similar to No. 15, but reading P 8S.1834.L.M. on reverse.

17. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1838. 18. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1841. shorter and nude;

legend on reverse.

19. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1848.

Similar to No. 16, except date.

Similar to No. 15, but bust is and reading 8S.1841.L.R. in Edge, reeded. 39 mm.

Similar to No. 18, but reading 8S.1848. R. in legend on reverse.

20. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1849. Obv. LIBRE POR LA CONSTITUCION. Bust of Bolivar to left; on bottom of bust, BOLIVAR. Rev. Similar to No. 15, but with 10 to left of tree and 20 to right: below. F.1849. M. Pl. XV, 1.

21-22. Peso (8 Sueldos), 1850. Similar to No. 20, except date.

23. Boliviano, 1867. Obv. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. An oval shield of arms, surmounted by a condor, over a trophy of military arms; below, ★★★★★★★ ****. Rev. LA UNION ES LA FUERZA. Within a wreath, 1 BOLIVIANO | 500. G. | 9.D. FINO.; below, 1867. .F.P. Edge, BOLIVIA LIBRE E INDEPENDIENTE 1821. 35 mm.; 382.5 grs.

24. Boliviano, 1870. Obv. Similar to No. 23. Rev. LA UNION HACE LA FUERZA. Within a wreath of

|

laurel and oak, UN | BOLIVIANO 25 GRS. 9 D. FINO; below, E.R. 1870. . Edge, reeded. 37 mm.

25. Boliviano, 1872. Similar to No. 24, except date. 36 mm. 26. Boliviano, 1884. Similar to No. 24, except date. 35 mm.

32

27. Medio peso (4 Sueldos), 1827. Types similar to No. 15, but reading 4S.1827.J.M. in legend on reverse. mm.; 207 grs.

28. Medio peso (4 Sueldos), 1830. Similar to No. 15, but reading4S.1850.J.L. in legend on reverse.

29. Medio peso (4 Sueldos), 1850. Commemorative piece, relating to the suppressing of the insurrection by Pres. Belzu. Obv. M.Y.BELZU PRESIDENTE CONSTITUCIOAL. DE BOLIVIA. Bust of Belzu to left; below, 1850. Rev. LA FUERZA NACIONAL TRIUNFO DE LA ANARQUIA. Hercules, with torch and club, slaying Hydra. Edge, reeded. 34 mm.

30. Medio peso (4 Sueldos), 1854. Obv. LIBRE POR LA

CONSTITUCION. Laureated bust of Bolivar to left; on truncation, BOLIVAR. Rev. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. Palm tree, and two llamas lying vis-a-vis under it; above, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★★; below, 4S. 1854. M.J. Edge, reeded. 32 mm.

31. Medio peso (4 Sueldos), 1855. Similar to No. 30, except date.

32-33. Medio boliviano (50 Centavos), 1865. Obv. A LOS PACIFICADORES DE BOLIVIA. The busts, jugate, of Melgarejo and Muñoz, to left, with their names at sides. Rev. CANTERIA DE POTOSI SETIEMBRE 5 DE 1865, and in the field, AL | VALOR | Y | AL | TALENTO | ★★★★★★★★★. Edge, reeded. 30 mm. 34-35. Medio boliviano (50 Centavos), 1873. Similar to No. 23, but reading, MEDIO Bo. | 50 CENTS. | 12 GS. 500 Ms. | 9 DS FINO | within the wreath on reverse; and below wreath, -1873- F.E. Edge, reeded. 80 mm. 36. Medio boliviano (50 Centavos), 1884. Obv. Similar to No. 23. Rev. UNION ES LA FUERZA. Within a wreath, MEDIO Bo. 50 CENTS. | | 12 GS. 500 M3. | 9 D3.

FINO, on reverse.

37-38. Medio boliviano (50 Centavos), 1893. Similar to No. 36, except date.

39. Peseta, 1830. Obv. LIBRE POR LA – CONSTITU. CION. Laureated bust of Bolivar in uniform, to right; on bottom of bust, BOLIVAR. REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA. A tree, beneath which lie two llamas, vis-avis; above, ★★★★★★; below, 25.1830.J.L. 26 mm. 40. 1/5 Boliviano, 1864. BOLIVIANO 100 GS

41. 1/5 Boliviano, 1865.
value.
42. 1/5 Boliviano, 1868.

Similar to No. 23, but reading 1/5 | 9 D. FINO; below, -1864-.F.P. Similar to No. 32, except in size and

Obv. Bust of Melgarejo to left, with laurel and palm branches in saltire, beneath; above, MELGAREJO; below, A POTOSI Y TARATA. Rev. POR LA DEFENSA ★ DE LA CONSTITUCION ★ ; in field, EL | 24 Y 25 | DE | DICIEMBRE DE 1868. 25 mm.

43-44. 1/5 Boliviano, 1875. Similar to No. 23, but reading

VEINTE CENTS. 9 D.
verse; below wreath,

FINO | within wreath, on re