Bicentennial of the First Patriotic Coin
The Assembly of the year 1813 ordered the coinage of the first patriotic coin on April 13, 1813.
Such coin showed the image of the Inca sun “INTI” on one side and the seal of the Assembly of the year 1813 on the other side; this design was replicated in the $1 (one peso) coin that is currently in circulation.
In commemoration of Argentina’s bicentennial, the coinage year (2013) of current $1 (one peso) coins has been replaced by “1813-2013.”
1 peso
Obverse design
Core: It features a replica of the reverse side of the first patriotic coin, bearing the inscription “EN UNIÓN Y LIBERTAD” (IN UNION AND LIBERTY); the mint from Potosí; letters “P T S” appear overlapped, together with letter “J” corresponding to assayer José Antonio de la Sierra, who supervised the coinage; the inscription “8S” (8 Scutum) representing the value of the coin, and the coinage year, “1813.”
Ring: The legend “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC) is arranged to form the upper arch, and the inscription “PRIMERA MONEDA PATRIA” (FIRST PATRIOTIC COIN) shapes the lower arch.
Reverse design
Core: It features a replica of the obverse design of the first patriotic coin, bearing the 32-ray Patriotic Sun, surrounded by the inscription “PROVINCIAS DEL RIO DE LA PLATA” (PROVINCES OF THE RIO DE LA PLATA).
Ring: The upper arch shows the value of the coin in letters “UN PESO” (ONE PESO) and the lower arch shows the “1813-2013” years, in commemoration of the bicentennial of the first patriotic coin, and two branches of laurel on the sides.
| FACE VALUE | $1 (one peso) |
| QUALITY | Circulation |
| METAL | Silver-colored ring (Cu 75 / Ni 25) / Gold-colored core (Cu 92 / Al 6 / Ni 2) |
| EDGE | Plain |
| WEIGHT | 6.35 g |
| DIAMETER | 23 mm (core 17 mm) |
| THICKNESS | 2.2 mm |
| MINT | S.E. Casa de Moneda (Argentina) |
| DATE OF ISSUE | 07/23/2013 |
| NUMBER OF COINS MINTED | 154,000,000 |