The only official gold coin of the Argentine mint for fifteen years: the 5-pesos "Argentino de oro" — 8.0645 g of .900 gold with edge lettering that fought clippers.
History
- The Argentino was the only official gold coin of the Argentine mint from 1881 to 1896, authorized by Law 1,130 under President Julio Argentino Roca; it equaled 5 pesos oro sellado.
- Designs by Eugène-André Oudiné: the obverse shows the Liberty head (Argentina personified) wearing a Phrygian cap, with the OUDINÉ signature and the legend "LIBERTAD – 5 PESOS – UN ARGENTINO – 9 DOS FINO" among four six-pointed stars.
- Reverse: the Argentine national arms, the date between two six-pointed stars, "REPUBLICA ARGENTINA".
- The edge bears raised lettering "IGUALDAD ANTE LA LEY" (Equality before the law), which also deterred clipping.
- Struck at the Buenos Aires mint (Casa de Moneda).
Key dates & varieties
- 5 pesos struck 1881–1896 (some catalogs list 1881–1889 and 1896 — year-by-year confirmation is still open).
- The medio (1/2) argentino was struck in 1881 and 1884 at 4.0322 g, .900 gold.
Specifications
- Weight: 8.0645 g gross; fineness .900 (7.258 g fine gold); diameter 22 mm.
Collector notes
- Check the edge lettering — it is the single best authenticity diagnostic on this coin.