Argentina’s first national silver peso: the 1881–1883 "patacón" — 25 g of .900 silver by Eugène Oudiné, with just 574,000 one-peso pieces across three years.
History
- Officially the 1 peso moneda nacional, silver series struck 1881–1883. The popular name "patacón" was also an old name for the 8-reales piece of eight.
- The whole 1881 series was designed by French engraver Eugène (André) Oudiné.
- Obverse: the Argentine arms within a wreath with a half radiant sun above; reverse: a capped Liberty head left.
- One argentino de oro equaled 5 pesos moneda nacional — 5 patacones; the medio argentino equaled 2.5 patacones.
Key dates & varieties
- 1-peso mintages: 1881 — 62,000; 1882 — 414,000; 1883 — 98,000 (three years total 574,000 pieces).
- The series also comprised: 50 centavos ("medio patacón", 12.5 g, 30 mm), 20 centavos (5 g, 23 mm), 10 centavos (2.5 g, 18 mm) — all .900 silver.
Specifications
- Weight: 25 g; fineness .900 silver; diameter 37 mm.
Collector notes
- Genuine examples carry the legends "9 DOS FINO" (900 fine), "OUDINE", "LIBERTAD" and "UN PESO" — the key authentication points.
Market check
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