Peru 5, 10 and 20 Centavos 1879 and 1880

This short-lived series of small denomination coins were struck in a copper-nickel alloy by the Lima mint for just two years. The 5, 10 and 20 centavos look alike except for the size and, of course, the large number on one side of the coin.

The inscription 'MONEDA PROVISIONAL' can be translated to 'temporary coinage'. Even though millions were made, they didn't circulate for very long. This means that most coins are in good shape today. This is good news if you want to buy one of these coins, but bad news if you want to sell one! High supply keeps the values low - they don't reach numbers that should give you dollar signs in your eyes, but nice looking specimens of the 20 centavos can bring in some cash. See values below:

5 AND 10 CENTAVOS:
worn: $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $2
well preserved: $5
fully uncirculated: $8

20 CENTAVOS
worn: $3
average circulated: $8
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $55

Damaged coins will be worth zero. Please see our Important Terminology page found at the top left in order to properly interpret these catalog values into actual buy and sales values.
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