Guatemala 1/2, 1, and 2 Centavos (de Quetzal) 1925 to 1949

That's none other than a resplendent quetzal on Guatemala's coat-of-arms. The bird is of great relevance to Guatemalan culture, being a character in the widely popular legend of the local hero Tecún Umán. Legend has it that on the day the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado fought against Tecún Umán, there was a quetzal flying overhead. Alvarado prevailed and the quetzal flew down and landed on Tecún Umán, dipping its chest in the warrior's blood. It is there that the bird acquired its distinctive red chest feathers. Another Mayan legend claims that the quetzal used to sing beautifully before the Spanish conquest, but has been silent ever since.

There are several Guatemalan coins with the resplendent quetzal. This page applies to coins that look like our picture. They come in 1/2, 1, and 2 centavo denominations.

Here are the typical catalog values for these coins. Read our Important Terminology page to properly understand these values.

1/2 (MEDIO) CENTAVO DE QUETZAL
worn: less than $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: less than $1
well preserved: $4
fully uncirculated: $12

1 (UN) CENTAVO DE QUETZAL
worn: less than $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1
well preserved: $8
fully uncirculated: $15
1 centavos dated after 1945 are less valuable, divide these values by three

2 (DOS) CENTAVO DE QUETZAL
worn: less than $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1
well preserved: $15
fully uncirculated: $45
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