Chile 10 Pesos

The Chilean 10 Pesos coin, introduced in 1975, was crafted from aluminum to stretch the nation's resources during a period of economic strain. This lightweight composition, at just 2.5 grams, made it one of the first such coins in South America.

Its design was straightforward: the obverse bore the national coat of arms, encircled by the country's name, while the reverse simply stated the value. Production ran through 1984, with variations in mint marks that reflected different years' outputs. Mintage figures vary by source; some records are incomplete, so I won't speculate.

Aluminum's softness meant these coins wore down quickly in circulation. That said, even a well-used example can still turn up in pocket change today. It's a reminder that not every coin needs to be rare to hold interest.