Commemoration of General Martín Miguel de Güemes

Martín Miguel Juan de Mata Güemes was born in the city of Salta on February 8, 1785. As a child, he received a good education which he completed with a military career.

The “Héroe Gaucho” (Gaucho Hero), as he was known, was on top of every mean fight. He openly declared himself a partisan of the country’s institutional organization and defended the Liberty and Independence of Argentine provinces until his death in his native land on June 17, 1821.

To pay homage to his memory, the BCRA issued a coin for circulation with similar characteristics to those currently in circulation, and a “brilliant uncirculated” gold quality coin. It should be noted that this is the first time the Sociedad del Estado Casa de Moneda (Argentina) strikes a gold coin in 104 years from its foundation, which is certainly, a landmark.

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 reeded, whereas loose coins have a plain edge.

50 cents

Obverse design

The center shows the right profile of the face of General Güemes; the lower arch reads “GRAL. MARTIN MIGUEL DE GÜEMES” and the upper arch reads “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC).

Reverse design

The center shows the face value in numbers and the word “CENTAVOS” (CENTS) (incuse like). Surrounding the center, there appear the commemorative date “17 de JUNIO de 1821” (JUNE 17, 1821), the coinage year, “2000,” and a branch of laurel. The coin has a vertical die axis.

5 pesos

Obverse design

The center shows the right profile of the face of General Güemes; the lower arch reads “GRAL. MARTIN MIGUEL DE GÜEMES” and the upper arch reads “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC).

Reverse design

The center shows—in matt background—the face value in numbers, “5,” and the word “PESOS” (incuse like). Surrounding the center, there appear the commemorative date “17 de JUNIO de 1821” (JUNE 17, 1821), the coinage year, “2000,” and a branch of laurel. The coin has a vertical die axis.