The 100 Greatest Modern World Coins series from Whitman Publishing has been an enlightening journey across the globe. From one end to the other and back again, the coinage history of our world is profound and rooted in several different economic, political, and war driven issues. Gaining independence and establishing a new coinage system is one of the biggest ones, and that is certainly the case with our next entry from the series. With help from authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker, we will look closer at one of the largest gold coins struck for circulation in the 20th century.
#95 – Peru 1958 Gold 100 Soles
First issued in 1950, the 100 soles is a crown sized gold coin that weighs 46.8071 grams, 42.164 of that being classified as fine gold. It features the Peruvian Seated Patria motif that originates from the 19th century when the country became independent and ditched the Spanish monetary system to create a national coinage that featured the sol as the primary unit of denomination. According to authors Morgan and Walker, the design is “an inferior” re-rendering of Leonard Charles Wyon’s design, who was an engraver for the British Royal Mint.
The design presents military symbolism of the revolution as it features Liberty dressed in military attire underneath her flowing dress. The pole and shield she carries are fixtures of war and the oak wreath on top of the pedestal beside her is a representation of the newly won freedom that is to be defended to be secured.
There were only 101 issued coins from the 1958 Gold 100 Soles series. It is the key date among the 21-year series and remains scarce no matter the grade or condition. Over the last decade, prices have increased for the coin at auction with an NGC graded MS64 bringing US$6,900 at sale in 2006 and just 10 years later bringing $12,925 at a Heritage auction.