Peru is Famous for Gold
Few countries issued any gold coins after 1932, and most of these were commemoratives. Britain for example issued no bullion sovereigns between 1932 and 1957. Peru is one of the few countries which continued to issue bullion gold coins for most of this period.

The Incas
The Inca empire centred on Peru once ruled much of South America, but was already in decline when Spain began its conquest in 1531. The Incas worshipped a sun god, and the warm yellow glow of gold was believed by many ancient civilisations to belong to the sun gold, or be related to the sun in some other way.

Peruvian History
Peru claimed independence in 1821, and this was eventually recognised by Spain in 1879. Peru and Bolivia were briefly united from 1836 to 1839, Simon Bolivar is recognised as a hero in both countries, but this met with Peruvian resistance and Chilean intervention. South and North Peru issued their own coinage shortly after this. Peru lost territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific from 1879 to 1881.
Discovery of silver at Potosi in 1545 lead to Peru also issuing large quantities of silver coins.

Peruvian Coins
We often have a small selection of Peruvian gold coins in stock. We show the specifications here of the most frequently held coins, followed by a list of coins most recently available. Because Peru made gold coins in many years when they were not issued by other countries, it can be a good source for impossible dates in other series. Gold coins are of course popular gift items, and 1956 for example does not exist in gold sovereigns or half sovereigns, but it is available in several denominations of Peru's coins.

Descriptions
In 1965, a commemorative 100 soles was issued to mark the 400th anniversary of the Lima Mint in 1565.
This features, on the obverse, the coat of arms of Peru, with the legend
BANCO CENTRAL (DE) RESERVA (DEL) PERU
CIEN
SOLES DE ORO
The reverse design is of a retro type, with appearance similar to coins of the mid 16th century, and has three concentric circles. The inner circle shows two crowned columns, with a letter P (above), and 8 (or monogram) below, between, and the inscription PLUS ULTRA.
The second circle contains the legend
LIMA
1565 + 1965
The outer circle bears the legend
CVATRICENTENARIO (CUATRICENTENARIO) D(E) LA FVNDACION (FUNDACION) D(E) LAS CASA D(E) MONEDA

Specifications
Technical specifications of the most frequently encountered Peruvian gold coins.

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Alloy	AGW
Cien Soles (100)	36	46.8071	.900	1.3544
Cincuenta Soles (50)	30	23.4056	.900	0.6772
Viente Soles(20)	23	9.3614	.900	0.2709
Diez Soles (10)	18	4.6807	.900	0.1354
Cinco Soles (5)	15	2.3404	.900	0.0677
Una Libra (1)	22	7.9881	.9166	0.2354
Half Libra	19	3.9940	.9166	0.1177
Fifth Libra	14	1.5976	.9166	0.0471

Key
Denomination = Face Value
Diameter = Approximate Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Weight in grams.
Alloy = Fineness of gold.
AGW = Actual fine gold weight in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability
The prices quoted in the US $ column may be out of date due to currency fluctuations.
The total price if buying all 24 coins includes a box, and ring binder containing all 24 information cards.

Date	Denomination	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1904	Half Libra	About Uncirculated	8,360	Sold	£45	$70
1906	One Libra in Antique Brooch Mount	About Uncirculated	201,000	Sold	£75	$125
1907	Half Libra	About Uncirculated	8,360	Sold	£45	$70
1908	Half Libra	About Uncirculated	8,360	Yes	£45	$70
1911	Fifth Libra	About Uncirculated	62,000	Sold	£20	$35
1951	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	8,241	Sold	£395	$635
1956	10 Soles	Uncirculated	5,410	Sold	£50	$80
1960	10 Soles	About Uncirculated	7,178	Sold	£50	$80
1961	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	6,982	Sold	£395	$635
1962	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	6,678	Ask	£395	$635
1962	One Libra	About Uncirculated	5,431	Sold	£95	$155
1963	50 Soles	About Uncirculated	3,089	Yes	£225	$350
1963	20 Soles	About Uncirculated	3,892	Sold	£115	$185
1963	10 Soles	About Uncirculated	3,372	Sold	£45	$75
1963	5 Soles	About Uncirculated	3,945	Yes	£30	$50
1965	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	23,000	Sold	£395	$635
1965	100 Soles, 400th Anniversary	About Uncirculated	27,000	Yes	£575	$1,150
1966	Fifth Libra	About Uncirculated	60,000	Sold	£20	$30
1968	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	540	Sold	£495	$635
1969	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	540	Sold	£495	$635
1970	100 Soles	About Uncirculated	425	Sold	£495	$635

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £5 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Peruvian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Peru, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Peruvian gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.