Many years ago in 1978, I went to one of Ted Hendrick’s coin shows at the Kerr Scott Building. What was interesting about that November Show was that there were many dealers, and many of them had older foreign that I had never seen in person. I had been collecting some European coins along with the usual Spanish Colonial, and US commemorative halves (just a few at that time). One of the dealers had coins with the usual busts of Louis XV of France and Charles III of Spain. When I further looked at the nickel sized coins, I found that the reverses where not normal. The French piece had an 8-line inscription, and the Spanish piece had a rider mounted on a horse leaping over 2 hills. It was a great coin show! I asked him what these were and he replied that the French coin was a death commemorative 1/5 Ecu, and the Spanish piece he was not sure of, bought thought it was from Guatemala. He was right on the Guatemalan issue. I bought it because I had never seen a Spanish Colonial Commemorative/Proclamation coin, much less any Guatemalan colonial issue.

Commemorative coins have a fairly straightforward definition. These were coins were minted to "commemorate" anniversaries of people and places, historic events, deaths, battles, ship christenings and other titanic events. These were actual coins as most had the trade denomination or value on them.

Proclamation coins are not so straightforward. A proclamation coin "proclaimed" some political event to keep the common man aware and abreast of politics. I call these coins, because most of the Latin American proclamation coins were struck in the exact weight standard as the common change of the day (Silver 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8 Reales, and Rarely Gold). Most (but not all) do not have the value or denomination as part of the coin. There are instances where they may be confused as patterns! There is much debate about these pieces in the Numismatic Community.

In Central and South America during colonial times (1700-1820+-), most proclamations were to commemorate the new King's ascension to the throne. A few were death pieces. And rarely still were city issues. What is interesting about these is that the ethnic, locale, or state was mentioned on the coins. That makes tracing the roots of the Latin American countries fun!

When the Spanish Armies were being driven out of this hemisphere, some political coins were struck in 1810 in Chile, defying the Spanish rule. When Chile was freed in 1817-18, Proclamations were struck. Simon Bolivar with his armies liberated much of South America. He is found or mentioned on the bulk of the Early period Proclamations (1824-1830). After that time and after many revolutions, coins were struck to commemorate the "new and improved" Presidents, Governments, and Constitutions. Typically things were a mess and people were killed, especially in Bolivia, which has more Proclamation coins than any other Area. Guatemala issued a "Trail By Jury" 2 Reales due to necessity for this reason.

Many of the Proclamations were made during the establishments of the Different Latin American Republics. It is interesting to note that most encountered examples are holed for use in women's jewelry. It was the style of the time (1825-1900) to wear the Politically correct coins to all public gatherings. Many are found in this way. Proclamations are also found along side circulating coins in buried hoards. The larger 4 and 8 Reales and Medals were typically worn by male veterans on their uniforms! There are new types and varieties found every day in this series of coins. The best overall Latin American - semi-contemporary reference is that of Jules Fohnrobert. It is in German, but is still the best. A good reference for Bolivian Proclamations was written a few years ago by Burnett.

I find collecting these coins very rewarding, as you can actually get a glimpse of the true political times in these countries.

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