Peru Real, Centavo, Dinero, Sol 1859 to 1935

Peru minted these nice-looking coins in silver between 1859 and 1935. They all use the same seated lady/pedestal/wreath/shield pattern, but they come in different denominations. The same pattern is used on some copper and gold coins, but this page applies only to silver coins between 1859 and 1935.

Here are the denominations and relevant statistics:

1/2 (MEDIO) REAL 1858-1861 14 mm diameter 0.038 troy ounces silver
REAL 1859-1861 17 mm diameter 0.72 troy ounces silver
25 CENTAVOS 1859 23 mm diameter 0.181 troy ounces silver
50 CENTAVOS 1858-1859 30 mm diameter 0.347 troy ounces silver
DINERO 1863-1916 17 mm diameter 0.072 troy ounces silver
1/5 SOL 1863-1892 23 mm diameter 0.145 troy ounces silver
1/2 SOL 1864-1917 27 mm diameter 0.362 troy ounces silver
1/2 SOL 1922-1935 27 mm diameter 0.200 troy ounces silver
SOL 1864-1915 35 mm diameter 0.723 troy ounces silver
SOL 1922-1935 35 mm diameter 0.402 troy ounces silver

To find approximate catalog values of all these coins, start with the base value (BV) due to silver content. Multiply the current price of silver by the number of troy ounces in the coin. For instance, if silver is trading at $30 US dollars per troy ounce (look it up; it changes every day; click to kitco.com), a 1/2 sol dated between 1922 and 1935 would have a base value of 0.200 x 30 = $6 US dollars, and a 50 centavos would have a base value of 0.347 x 30 = $10.

Armed with the base value (BV), you can get approximate catalog values by adding these 'collector premiums,' or the amount collectors might be willing to pay over and above BV.

1/2 (MEDIO) REAL 1858-1861
worn: add $5 US dollars
average circulated: add $10
well preserved: add $25
fully uncirculated: add $50

REAL 1859-1861
worn: add $5 US dollars
average circulated: add $10
well preserved: add $25
fully uncirculated: add $75
reals dated 1860, divide these values by two

25 CENTAVOS 1859
worn: add $25 US dollars
average circulated: add $50
well preserved: add $120
fully uncirculated: add $300

50 CENTAVOS 1858-1859
worn: add $15 US dollars
average circulated: add $30
well preserved: add $60
fully uncirculated: add $280

DINERO 1863-1916
worn: add $2 US dollars
average circulated: add $4
well preserved: add $8
fully uncirculated: add $20
dineros dated 1872 and 1888 are rare and catalog around $100 in average circulated condition
dineros dated 1916 are common and catalog around $1 in average circulated condition

1/5 SOL 1863-1892
worn: add $4 US dollars
average circulated: add $6
well preserved: add $12
fully uncirculated: add $40
1/5 sols dated 1864 with YB-DD mint marks are rare and catalog around $50 in average circulated condition
1/5 sols dated 1885 are very rare and catalog around $1000 in average circulated condition

1/2 SOL 1864-1917
worn: add $5 US dollars
average circulated: add $10
well preserved: add $20
fully uncirculated: add $100
1/2 sols dated 1864 with YB-D mint marks are rare and catalog around $150 in average circulated condition
1/2 sols dated 1908 are rare and catalog around $40 in average circulated condition

1/2 SOL 1922-1935
worn: add $0 US dollars
average circulated: add $2
well preserved: add $6
fully uncirculated: add $15

SOL 1864-1915
worn: add $10 US dollars
average circulated: add $15
well preserved: add $25
fully uncirculated: add $50
sols dated 1864 are very rare and catalog around $250 in average circulated condition
sols dated 1868, 1873 and 1880YJ are rare and catalog around $50 in average circulated condition
sols dated 1914 and 1915 are common; divide values above by two

SOL 1922-1935
worn: add $0 US dollars
average circulated: add $8
well preserved: add $12
fully uncirculated: add $20
sols dated 1923 are rare and catalog around $50 in average circulated condition
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