1872 Colombia 20 Centavos

The 1872 Colombian 20 centavos coin was struck from 0.900 fine silver, a composition that made it resilient amid the era's economic fluctuations.

This silver likely came from local mines, though exact sources remain murky due to poor record-keeping. The obverse bears a heraldic shield with Colombia's coat of arms—two cornucopias, a Phrygian cap, and Andean symbols—engraved with crisp detail that hints at European influence. The reverse simply states the denomination and date, keeping things straightforward.

We don't know the precise mintage; archives from that period were probably lost in one of Bogotá's frequent fires. What stands out is how this coin circulated during a time of political tension, serving as everyday currency rather than a collector's fancy.

Handling these, you notice the edge reeding, which was meant to deter clipping but often failed in the field.