Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1969
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter: 37 mm
Weight: 25 grams (0. 7234 oz. actual silver weight)
Mintages: 500,000
Obverse Design: Stylized Design
Reverse Design: Stylized Design
Unique Features: Lettered
Introduction
Designed by Francisco Matto Vilaro (one of Uruguay’s most famous artists) and sculpted by Ernesto Leborgne, the 1000 pesos is a beautiful South American one year type coin. Being a large silver coin with Pre-Columbian art influences and also an official F.A.O. issue make this coin an attractive addition to almost any world coin collection.
Design
Note: Without a bust design many collectors have difficulty distinguishing between obverse and reverse designs. When determining which side of a coin is the obverse and which is the reverse the rule of thumb typically used is:
Obverse designs have a mintage date while reverse designs have the denomination. Though this rule may not apply in all situations it is the accepted norm.
The obverse design features stylized images of plants, animals and nature. At the bottom right of the design is the designer’s name “MATTO”. On the upper periphery are the letters “FAO” (acronym for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). On the lower periphery are the Latin words “FIAT PANIS” the motto of the FAO which translates to “Let there be bread” as well as the date of issue “1969”.
The reverse design features a stylized sun with rays. On the upper periphery is the word “URUGUAY” and on the lower periphery is the denomination “MIL PESOS”.
The coin edge lettering features the words “REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY” (Oriental Republic of Uruguay).
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