Colombia

IN PROGRESS

The territory that included modern-day Colombia declared its independence from Spain in 1810 during the Peninsular War. Gran Colombia (principally including modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama) was recognized in 1819. Gran Colombia was dissolved in 1831 and modern-day Colombia emerged as the Republic of New Granada.

Internal and external conflicts continued for decades, with several successor governments/states (the Granadine Confederation 1858-1863; The United States of Colombia 1863-1886) until the modern-day Republic of Colombia was established in 1887.

Colombia continued to the Spanish real (including coins minted in Colombia) through 1820. From 1820 through 1837, the Spanish real was replaced by the Colombian real with the same units debased by about 40% (a silver 8 reales was 23 grams at 0.666 fine rather than 27 grams at 0.917 fine). The gold coins were not debased (Colombia 8 escudos remained 27 grams at 0.875 fine) and were also minted as a pre-decimalization peso (Colombia 16 pesos, at 2 pesos to escudo).

##1847 decimalization - first silver 1847, first gold 1849

##rest of coinage history


##LMU - 12 gold, 21+ silver



##add summary table visualization for years minted?

Circulation Coins

Underlined text links to Numista
Certain images are clickable for more detail

Gold Coins

20 Pesos (Equiv. to 100 Francs)

1862-1878 (Estados Unidos)
(Image: Heritage Aug 2025)

The 1853-1857 10 Pesos (not pictured) was slightly heavier at 16.4 grams, rather than 16.129 grams (as stated on the coins).

10 Pesos (Equiv. to 50 Francs)

1859-1862 (Confederation)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2021)

The later 10 pesos (1919-1924) changed to the British standard at 0.917 fine.

2 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1849, 1851
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

2 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1859-1860 (Confederation)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

1 Pesos (Equiv. to 5 Francs)

1863 (Estados Unidos)
(Image: Sedwick May 2025)

1 Pesos (Equiv. to 5 Francs)

1872-1873 (Estados Unidos, Small Vulture Reserve)
(Image: Sedwick May 2025)

2 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1857-1858
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

1 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1871, 1872, 1878 (Estados Unidos, Large Vulture Reverse)
(Image: Sedwick May 2025)

10 Pesos (Equiv. to 50 Francs)

1857-1858 (Republic)
(Image: Heritage Aug 2025)

10 Pesos (Equiv. to 50 Francs)

1862-1878 (Estados Unidos)
(Image: Heritage Aug 2025)

5 Pesos (Equiv. to 25 Francs)

1849, 1857-1858
(Image: Stacks Jan 2018)

The later 5 pesos (1913-1919, 1919-1924, 1924-1930) changed to the British standard at 0.917 fine.

These were minted alongside 2.5 pesos coins (1913, 1919-1920, 1924-1929). The 2 pesos and 1 pesos were not minted again.

2 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1863 (Estados Unidos - 1st Type)
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

2 Pesos (Equiv. to 10 Francs)

1871, 1872, 1876 (Estados Unidos - 2nd Type)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2020)

There is an 1862 1 peso listed by numista as a standard circulation coin, but apparently there are only two known examples (Sedwick, April 2011).

1 Pesos (Equiv. to 5 Francs)

1864 (“Colombia”)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2024)

Silver Coins

10 Reales (25 Grams)

1847-1849
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

1 Peso (25 Grams)

1855-1858 (Republic)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

The 1847 8 reales was a transitional coin between the old Spanish system and the decimalized system instituted in 1847.

1/2 Peso (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)
(Very Rare - 6 known)

1868
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

5 Décimos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1868-1880
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

10 Reales (25 Grams)

1850-1851
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

1 Peso (25 Grams)

1859-1861 (Confederation)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

1 Peso (25 Grams)

1861 (Estados Unidos)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

1 Peso (25 Grams)

1862-1868 (Colombia)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

1 Peso (25 Grams)

1868-1871, 1875 (Woman Obverse)
(Image: Sedwick Nov 2023)

8 Reales (20 Grams)

1847
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

The 12.5 gram coin (equivalent to 2.5 francs) was a common coin in Colombia. Though a coin this size was rare in Europe (minted only in Belgium and the Papal States), the denomination replaced what would have been equivalent to a 2 francs. This was due to the 5:1 ratio of denominations, which made the 12.5 grams a practical size. ##

The coin was first minted as a 1/2 peso, then as both a 5 décimos (where a décimo is 1/10th peso) and 50 centavos. Oddly, the coins were minted as both 0.835 fine and 0.5 fine for the same denomination in certain years.

##research item

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1874-1885 (Larger Bust & Letting)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1888-1908 (Republic)
(Image: Sedwick May 2021 - Proof Version)

From 1885 to 1888 there were a parellel set of 50 centavos / 5 decimos coins minted at 0.5 fine rather than 0. 835 fine (1885-1886; 1886; 1887-1888; 1887-1888 2nd type)

##explain

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1902
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

##1912, the 12.5g changed from 0.835 to 0.9. This size did not exist under the LMU, but the previous fineness was more consistent

##reason for change?

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1916-1934 (Rounder Bust)
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

2 Reales (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1849-1853
(Image: ##)

2 Décimos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1854-1858
(Image: ##)

2 Décimos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1865
(Image: ##)

2 Décimos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1866-1867
(Image: ##)

2 Décimos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1874
(Image: ##)

20 Centavos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1875-1885
(Image: ##)

20 Centavos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1880
(Image: ##)

Between 1880 and 1890 there were a couple 5 gram coins at lower finness (0.5 fine - 1886), (0.666 fine - 1897). Then in 1911 the new 5 gram coin was set to 0.9 fine, consistent with the 12.5 gram coins addressed above.

20 Centavos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1911-1942
(Image: ##)

The 1 real (1/2 franc) was initially 2.7 grams in 1847. Then it was revised to match French weights.

##later than other coins? Check 2.7g is accurate - not stated on coin

1 Real (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1851-1853
(Image: ##)

1 Décimo (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1861
(Image: ##)

1 Décimo (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1859-1860
(Image: ##)

1 Décimo (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1863-1866
(Image: ##)

1 Décimo (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1868-1874
(Image: ##)

10 Cent (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1874-1885
(Image: ##)

Between 1880 and 1890 there were a couple 2.5 gram coins at lower finness (0.5 fine - 1885-1886), (0.666 fine - 1897). Then in 1911 the new 5 gram coin was set to 0.9 fine, consistent with the 5 gram and 12.5 gram coins addressed above.

10 Cent (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1911-1942
(Image: ##)

1/2 Décimo (1.25 Grams, Equiv. to 1/4 Franc)

1853-1858
(Image: ##)

1/2 Décimo (1.25 Grams, Equiv. to 1/4 Franc)

1859-1861
(Image: ##)

1/2 Real (1.25 Grams, Equiv. to 1/4 Franc)

1862
(Image: ##)

5 Décimos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1875-1888
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

5 Décimos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1889-1899 (Republic)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1872-1875 (Smaller Bust & Lettering)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

5 Décimos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1889-1899* (Republic - Unlisted Bust Variant Typically used for 0.5 fine version)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1889, 1898-1899 (Republic)
(Image: Stacks Aug 2018)

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1892 (Colombus)
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

50 Centavos (12.5 Grams, Equiv. to 2.5 Francs)

1912-1933 (Sharper Bust)
(Image: CNG Aug 2014)

2 Reales (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1847-1849
(Image: ##)

2 Reales (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1862
(Image: ##)

2 Décimos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1870-1872
(Image: ##)

20 Centavos (5 Grams, Equiv. to 1 Franc)

1874, 1882, 1884
(Image: ##)

1 Real (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1853-1858
(Image: ##)

1 Décimo (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1866
(Image: ##)

10 Centavos (2.5 Grams, Equiv. to 1/2 Franc)

1872-1874
(Image: ##)