At the Museum of the Central Bank, you may find pieces that pay homage to Argentine national heroes like the Liberator José de San Martín.
He was born in Yapeyú on February 25, 1778. This town that had been founded by Jesuit missionaries on the banks of the Uruguay River, and was then part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata; today this site belongs to the Province of Corrientes.
He was a statesman and military commander whose revolutionary armies were crucial to the independence of Argentina, Chile and Peru. He is recognized as one of the Liberators of South America for his contribution to the self-determination of a large part of Spanish America.
General José de San Martín died in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, on August 17, 1850. So, August 17 of every year is a public holiday in Argentina in remembrance of his death.
You will find more pieces in the rooms that follow:
Room 6 | Central Bank of Argentina
Gold proof coin minted in 2000 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín.
Room 4 | Argentine Currency at Present
ARS5 banknote issued on October 1, 2015. Obverse: portrait of General José de San Martín. Reverse: design featuring the Liberators of Spanish America—José de San Martín, José Gervasio Artigas, Simón Bolívar, and Bernardo O´Higgins.
ARS5 banknote (new design) issued as of 1998. Obverse: Effigy of General José de General San Martín with a supplementary image of the painting "El Abrazo de Maipú" (the Maipu embrace). Reverse: Cerro de la Gloria (Glory Hill), Monument to the Army of the Andes—Mendoza. Artistic work by the Uruguayan sculptor Juan Manuel Ferrari.
Room 3 | Conservative Republic and the 20th Century
ARS50 banknote issued in 1966. Obverse: Portrait of General San Martín as a young man. Reverse: “El Paso de los Andes” (the Andes Crossing), a painting by Augusto Ballerini.
5 pesos convertibles legal tender banknote issued in 1992. Obverse: effigy of General José de San Martín. Reverse: Cerro de la Gloria (the Glory Hill), Monument to the Army of the Andes —Mendoza. Artistic work by the Uruguayan sculptor Juan Manuel Ferrari.
Order of the Liberator San Martín. Extraordinary distinction granted by the Argentine Republic to foreign civil or military officials who, in the exercise of their duties, deserve the highest honor and recognition. “Knight’s Grade”. This piece is a part of the San Martin Collection and was acquired in 2015.
This coin featuring the oath of Independence of Peru on July 28, 1821 was minted in silver by order of General San Martín, and is also a part of the San Martin Collection acquired in 2015.
Order of the Sun of Peru. Distinction granted by Peru to citizens and foreigners, both civil and military officials, who have stood out in Arts, Literature, Culture, Politics, and Extraordinary Services to Peru. Grade Grand Cross. This coin was issued at the National Mint House of Lima. It is also a part of the San Martin Collection acquired in 2015.
Silver plated bronze medal commemorating the Centennial of the May Revolution. 1810-1910”. It is also a part of the San Martin Collection acquired in 2015.
Copper medal issued by the San Martin Institute commemorating the Centennial of the repatriation of San Martin’s curved sword. 1897-1997”. It is also a part of the San Martin Collection acquired in 2015.
Eight Reales Silver Coin minted in Peru by order of General José de San Martín in 1822. It is known as “Peso de San Martín” (San Martín´s Peso) and features the first coat of arms designed by the Liberator with Argentina and Chile’s flags, a symbol of both countries’ liberation from the Spanish rule. It is also a part of the San Martin Collection acquired in 2015.