Argentine peso moneda nacional


The Peso Moneda Nacional, or simply peso, was the first unified national currency of Argentina. It was used from 5 November 1881 to 1 January 1970, the date in which the [Argentine peso ley|Argentine peso ley|peso ley 18.188] was issued to the Argentine public. It was subdivided into 100 centavos, with the argentino worth 5 pesos. The peso was introduced to replace the Argentine peso moneda corriente at a rate of 25 = m$n 1.

History

The peso moneda nacional replaced the Argentine real at a rate of one to eight. It also replaced the peso fuerte at par and the peso moneda corriente at a rate of 25 pesos moneda corriente = 1 peso moneda nacional. The peso moneda nacional was itself replaced by the peso ley at a rate of one hundred to one.
The peso was initially pegged to the French franc at a rate of 1 peso = 5 francs. In 1883, when silver coins ceased production, the paper peso was set at a value of 2.2 francs or 638.7 mg gold. After a suspension in the gold standard from 1914, in 1927, a peg to the U.S. dollar was established of 2.36 pesos = 1 dollar. The rate changed to 1.71 pesos = 1 dollar in 1931, then to 3 pesos = 1 dollar in 1933. Between 1934 and 1939, the peso was pegged to sterling at a rate of 15 pesos = £1. High inflation in the post-war period lead to the introduction of the peso ley 18.188 in 1970 at the rate of 100 pesos moneda nacional = 1 peso ley.

Coins

In 1881, silver 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1 peso and gold 1 argentino coins were introduced, followed by bronze 1 and 2 centavos the next year. Silver coins ceased production in 1883, with gold coins ending in 1896. Base metal 5, 10 and 20 centavos were introduced in 1896, with base 50 centavos following in 1941. The 1 peso was reintroduced in 1957, with 5, 10 and 25 pesos introduced in 1961, 1962 and 1964.

Banknotes

Provincial

There were several banknotes issued by provinces of Argentina, such as Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Chaco, Salta, and Tucumán provincial banks.

Banco Nacional

The first nationally issued banknotes were introduced by the "Banco Nacional" in 1883. These were in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos.

1899–1935 issues

In 1891 and 1892, the same denominations were produced by the recently created "Banco de la Nación Argentina". In 1894, the Banco Nación introduced larger denomination notes for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos.
Paper money production was taken over by the "Caja de Conversión" in 1899. That year, 50 centavos, 1 and 100 pesos were introduced, followed in 1900 by notes for 5, 10, 50, 500 and 1000 pesos. These notes were issued until 1935, when the Banco Central began to produce notes.
Law 3505, of 20 September 1897, authorized the Caja de Conversión to renovate all paper money in existence at the time. They decided to make new design called "Progress's Effigy".
These bank notes were created originally in a bigger size and printed by the mint, using French-made paper.
Due to their size, and the paper not being of good enough quality, they began to deteriorate. They then decided to suspend the printing and look for another provider. The new notes, of smaller size, started to be issued in 1903, using typography as the printing method.
ValueIssue datesImage
50 Centavos1899–1900, 1918–1926
1 Peso1900–1903, 1906–1935
5 Pesos1900–1935
10 Pesos1900–1935
50 Pesos1900–1935
100 Pesos1899–1932
500 Pesos1900–1901, 1905, 1909–1930, 1935
1000 Pesos1901, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1910–1934

Banco Central

When the Central Bank of Argentina was established it took over the banknotes, which began to be printed by the Casa de Moneda. The banknotes designs were not modified until 1942, when the bank decided to introduce new designs, leaving the allegory of Liberty figure behind. Some series were printed in Great Britain.
The Banco Central issued the following banknotes:
ValueObverseReverseEmission start dateWithdrawnImage
0.50 Allegory of LibertyNational Constitution194231 December 1960
1JusticeCasa de Tucumán193531 December 1960
5José de San MartínMay Revolution193531 January 1965
10José de San MartínOath of Independence17 March 193631 January 1965
50José de San MartínCrossing of the Andes 10 September 193630 March 1968
50José de San MartínCrossing of the Andes2 January 194330 September 1968
100José de San MartínFounding of Buenos Aires 14 August 193630 March 1968
100José de San MartínFounding of Buenos Aires23 December 194330 September 1968
500José de San MartínCentral Bank of Argentina21 December 194430 March 1968
500José de San MartínSan Martín's house at Grand Bourg25 November 196430 September 1968
1,000José de San MartínFrigate Presidente Sarmiento21 December 19441 July 1975
5,000José de San MartínNational Congress4 October 19621 July 1975
10,000José de San MartínSan Martín and O'Higgins meeting18 December 19611 July 1975200px200px

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