150th Anniversary of General San Martín’s Death

General José de San Martín was born in Yapeyú, Corrientes province, on February 25, 1778. In 1812, the Mounted Grenadiers (Granaderos a Caballo) Squadron was created and named after this hero, who guided Latin American countries towards their emancipation.

Throughout his military career, San Martín led South America’s struggle for independence, achieving important victories in Chacabuco, Maipú, San Lorenzo, Nazca, Jauja, Pasco and Riobamba, thus embracing the ideals of liberty.

After 150 years of his death, which took place in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France) on August 17, 1850, the BCRA pays homage to the liberator of our motherland by issuing circulating coins and gold coins of brilliant uncirculated quality.

Part of the circulating coins (5,000) come in cardboard cases with a short bio along with a description of the issuance. The edge of cased coins is plain, whereas loose coins have a reeded edge.

50 cents

Obverse design

The center shows the face of the hero looking ahead, “1850” (year of death) to the left and “2000” (year of commemoration) to the right. The lower arch reads “GRAL. Dn. JOSE DE SAN MARTIN” and the upper arch, “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC).

Reverse design

On the left, it shows the bell gable of San Carlos Convent, which was next to “Campo de la Gloria,” a historical place where the San Lorenzo battle was fought. In commemoration of our incipient emancipation, the arch reads “LA PATRIA AL LIBERTADOR” (THE MOTHERLAND TO ITS LIBERATOR). At the same level as the bell that announced the creoles’ victory, the right hand side shows a monogram of the seven different letters which make up the phrase “VIVA LA PATRIA” (LONG LIVE OUR MOTHERLAND) and above them the arch reads “2000” (year of coinage). In the lower right hand quarter, the face value “50” is shown in italics and below it, “CTVS” (abbreviation for the word “cents” in Spanish).

5 pesos

Obverse design

The center shows the face of the hero looking ahead, “1850” (year of death) to the left and “2000” (year of commemoration) to the right. The lower arch reads “GRAL. Dn. JOSE DE SAN MARTIN” and the upper arch, “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC).

Reverse design

On the left, it shows the bell gable of San Carlos Convent, which was next to “Campo de la Gloria,” a historical place where the San Lorenzo battle was fought. In commemoration of our incipient emancipation, the arch reads “LA PATRIA AL LIBERTADOR” (THE MOTHERLAND TO ITS LIBERATOR). At the same level as the bell that announced the creoles’ victory, the right hand side shows a monogram of the seven different letters which make up the phrase “VIVA LA PATRIA” (LONG LIVE OUR MOTHERLAND) and above them the arch reads “2000” (year of coinage). In the lower right hand quarter, the face value “5” is shown in italics and below it, the word “PESOS.”