Peru 1/2, 1, 2, 4, and 8 Reales 1825 to 1855

Strong and happy for the country; Firme y feliz por la union. That's the inscription on the front of these old, beautiful coins from the Republic of Peru. The woman's shield says LIBERTAD, liberty, and she holds a pole with a felt cap, which symbolizes personal freedom (similar felt caps were worn by liberated slaves in ancient cities).

These coins were minted in silver with roughly the same pattern from 1825 to 1855 in denominations 1/2, 1, 2, 4, and 8 reales. You can figure the denomination by looking at the number before the R, e.g., 4R = 4 reales, 8R = 8 reales.

For values, we will call out some typical catalog values for each denomination. There is some variation date to date, but we provide here only an average, approximate value for all dates. The most significant effect on value comes with condition, or amount of wear. The coin in our picture is pretty well worn, but it is still appealing to the eye and carries a pleasing light-on-dark look. All in all, I'd call it an average circulated specimen.

NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

Do not forget that the catalog values below are inflated values. You must apply the concepts on our Terminology page to them.

1/2 REAL, 17 mm diameter, 0.049 troy ounces silver
worn: $4 US dollars approximate catalog value
averge circulated: $20
well preserved: $40

1 REAL, 22 mm diameter, 0.098 troy ounces silver
worn: $8 US dollars approximate catalog value
averge circulated: $25
well preserved: $60

2 REALES, 29 mm diameter, 0.196 troy ounces silver
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
averge circulated: $30
well preserved: $80

4 REALES, 35 mm diameter, 0.279 troy ounces silver
worn: $20 US dollars approximate catalog value
averge circulated: $50
well preserved: $110

8 REALES, 40 mm diameter, 0.696 troy ounces silver
worn: $20 US dollars approximate catalog value
averge circulated: $60
well preserved: $140

There are some 8 reales coins which are much more valuable than the common ones indicated in the list above. Here are some dates and markings to look for. The number after each date is an approximate catalog value for a coin in average circulated condition.

8 REALES
1835: $200
1839 AREQ MV: $4000
1840 AREQ MV: $4000
1841 LIMAE MB: $8000
1841 AREQ M: $9000
1849 LIMAE MB: $400
1853: $250
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Coin: 6904, Genre: Colonizers and Colonies, Timeline: World
Created (yyyymm): 201101, Last review: 201509
Appearance: Normal round coin Metallic gray Letters: Latin
Years: sort: 1825, filter: 1825 to 1855
Image: peru_8_reales_1835.jpg
Tags: escutcheon peru fern palmetto palmtree republicas libertatis shiled trees reipvblicae deer beading alpacas period garland liberta reif female ribbons fron woman periods 4th libera crests liafy por plants oak alpaca leaves republique felix planting leaf crest repvbliqve antelope insignia women ladies chevrons repbulique repvblique 2nd fem libertas firme moose tree lunion antler reales perv ladys arm reef libertad leave shields republika llamas leaved leafs peruvian republiek cornucopia wreah frond females beaded liberte coats elm womens stag dunion lady leafe lama point republiove leafy bride wreath springbok caribou fronds buck dots republik chevron bough pine coat beads womans liberdad leafed logo eland repub leavs points foliage libertao arms liberty staffs wreathed ferns sash creast plant repvblica palms wreth cornucopias 1st palm sheild pearl llama republicans boughs rief liberate bead pearls femal reale feminine union antlers republicia liber ivy feliz crested repvbblica real staff republican dot rebublique greenery wreaths wreathe vegetation wreat libertate bush shield princess escucheon ribon republ dotted elk republica shild republic ribbon peruana