Peru’s classic silver crown: the 1864–1916 seated-Liberty sol — 25 g of .900 silver with "Firme y feliz por la unión".
History
- The sol was introduced in 1863 as part of the decimal monetary reform replacing the Spanish real; the 1 sol was struck 1864–1916 (KM196 series, with assayer and wreath sub-varieties).
- Design: seated Liberty holding a spear topped with a Phrygian cap in one hand and a shield with a rising sun in the other; a pedestal beside her reads "LIBERTAD"; the motto "FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNIÓN" curves above; the denomination "UN SOL" sits below.
- Obverse: the Peruvian arms with "REPUBLICA PERUANA LIMA 9 DECIMOS FINO" plus assayer initials and date.
- In 2013 the central bank issued a commemorative silver coin for the sesquicentennial of the sol (1863–2013) reproducing the 1863 seated-Liberty design — confirming both the 1863 date and the motto.
- Early dates include 1864/54 overdates and assayer varieties (YB, TF, FG).
Key dates & varieties
- The final-year 1916 issue is still .900 fine — no fineness reduction; claims of a 1916 debasement are not supported by the catalogs.
Specifications
- Weight: 25.0000 g; fineness .900 silver; diameter 37 mm; reeded edge.
Collector notes
- Genuine pieces must weigh 25 g at 37 mm with a reeded edge — the three measurements together are the authenticity screen.