Mercosur (Southern Common Market)

On March 26th, 1991, the Argentine Republic together with the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay created the Mercosur—or Southern Common Market—to build an economic area, as from December 31st, 1994 for the promotion of free trade of goods, services and factors of production among member nations.

Within this framework, two coins were issued in reference to the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Argentine Republic: one of $1 (one PESO), and another of $0.50 (fifty cents), both for circulation and featuring characteristics similar to those currently in circulation.

They are delivered loose and in cardboard cases containing a short historical summary and the features and specifications of the pieces coined. A volume of 3,500 cases (numbered from 1 to 3,500) were manufactured for delivering both coins.

50 cents

Obverse design

The center shows the Mercosur logo in relief. The upper arch reads “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC), and the lower arch reads “DEMOCRACIA: PAZ : INTEGRACION” (DEMOCRACY: PEACE: INTEGRATION).

Reverse Design

The center shows number “50” in relief on the word “CENTAVOS” (CENTS). The upper arch contains, in incuse form and between pearls, the phrase “EN UNIÓN Y LIBERTAD” (IN UNION AND LIBERTY) and the exergue contains the coinage year, “1998”.

1 peso

Obverse Design

The center shows the Mercosur logo in relief. The upper arch reads “REPUBLICA ARGENTINA” (ARGENTINE REPUBLIC), and the lower arch reads “DEMOCRACIA: PAZ : INTEGRACION” (DEMOCRACY: PEACE: INTEGRATION.)

Reverse design

The center shows number “1” over the word “PESO”. The upper arch contains, in the silver ring and between pearls, the phrase “EN UNION Y LIBERTAD” (IN UNION AND LIBERTY), and the exergue contains the coinage year, “1998”.