Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1879-1936
Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Diameter: 37 mm
Weight: 25 grams (0.7234 oz. actual silver weight)
Mintages: 12,590,100
Obverse Design: Bust
Reverse Design: Coat of Arms
Unique Features:
Introduction
The obverse design features the bust of Simon Bolivar facing left. On the outer periphery are the words “BOLIVAR LIBERTADOR” and just below the bust design is the designer’s name “BARRE”
The reverse design features the coat of arms for Venezuela. On the upper outer periphery are the words “ESTADOS UNIDOS DE VENEZUELA” or United States of Venezuela. On the lower outer periphery are the words (separated by stars) “GRAM .25” and “LEI 900”.
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Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela July 24, 1783 and was one of South America’s most important historical figures.
Bolivar's life was dedicated to the independence of the then Spanish colonies, and the dream of Latin American unity. From 1810 to 1824, Bolivar, along with his trusted compatriot General Antonio Jose Sucre, achieved independence from Spanish colonial rule over central and northern South America.
Bolivar admired the revolutionary efforts of the United States and aspired to a similar state, though he did differ on the role of a strong central government in comparison to early U.S. governments, the concepts and visions were similar. Bolivar’s vision began to become fulfilled when he organized the various colonies as the Gran Colombia state (the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama, as well as small slices of Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, and Guyana).
Bolivar would become the first President of the newly formed Gran Colombia. Unfortunately, there were too many individual factions, political differences, as well as religious differences that began tearing at the foundation of the newly formed state. With no common element to keep the individual colonies together, Bolivar was pressured to resign his presidency on April 27, 1830 and thus ending the short lived state of Gran Colombia.
Today he is known as "The Liberator" ("El Libertador"). His integrity, high morals, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds made him a role model to many.