50 Peso Chile Gold

1971, Chile (Republic). Large Gold 50 Pesos Coin

Mint Year: 1971 References: KM-169. Denomination: 50 Pesos Mint Place: Santiago Material: Gold (.917) Weight: 10.16gm Diameter: 24mm

Obverse: Wreathed female bust left with a star on shoulder drapery. Date (1971) below. Legend: REPVBLICA DE CHILE

Reverse: Plummed shield of chile, supported by huemul (left) and condor right. Mountains in the background, mint initials (So) left field. Legend: CINCUENTA PESOS / So / CINCO CONDORES / 50 Ps

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile (República de Chile), is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage at the country’s southernmost tip. It is one of only two countries in South America that does not have a border with Brazil.

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while the indigenous Araucanians inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Araucanian Indians were completely subjugated. The country, which had been relatively free of the coups and arbitrary governments that blighted the South American continent, endured a 17 year military dictatorship (1973-1990). Currently, Chile is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations