Peru 1 Sol

The 1 Sol coin from Peru's early republic was first struck in 1822 using silver planchets likely recycled from Spanish reales, a practical nod to the chaos of independence.

That recycling wasn't just thrift; it helped fund the new government's operations amid economic turmoil. The obverse typically bore a portrait of Simón Bolívar or later, the Peruvian coat of arms, while the reverse featured a simple wreath or value. Mintage figures vary by year, with some estimates lost to poor record-keeping.

Variations exist, like the 1835 issue with a different edge design, but details on exact production numbers remain murky—perhaps burned in the 1838 Lima fire.

For a coin that circulated through revolutions, it's held up surprisingly well, though I've seen my share of counterfeits passed off as genuine.