The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 7, February 16, 2003, Article 4

CHILE'S COQUIMBO MINT BOOK PUBLISHED

  Alan Luedeking writes: "I'm very pleased to announce that
  Carlos Jara's new book "Chile's Coquimbo Mint: A
  Documented History," is finally available for sale in a limited
  edition of only 50 numbered examples. This is the first
  publication supported by the recently founded "Sociedad
  Chilena de Estudios Numismáticos," and will be followed by
  more books and monographs dealing mostly with (but not
  limited to) Chilean numismatics. Here's a little review of this
  great work:

  Although the 1 Peso Coquimbo coin is so famous that it has
  many times been labeled the most important republican Latin
  American crown, no one has undertaken a serious study of it
  since Jose Toribio Medina in the early 1900's. Medina
  presented very incomplete information on this mint and its
  coins, leaving the door open to a lot of controversy. This
  comment may seem a bit harsh, but the amount of new
  documented information contained in Jara's book will prove
  that the assertion is merited. Through painstaking research,
  Mr. Jara uncovered much new documentation that was
  heretofore unknown and is crucial to understanding the
  precise chronology of the events that took place during the
  short time the Coquimbo Mint existed: 1827-1830. Was
  there more than one emission of coins from the Coquimbo
  Mint?  Jara presents incontrovertible evidence that there
  were in fact three different emissions.

  All relevant documents are presented in the Appendix,
  along with careful translations of the most essential ones.
  This work will finally bring closure to the long-running
  controversy concerning the legitimacy of the two known
  types of Coquimbo 1 Peso coins. Another controversial point
  concerns whether or not Coquimbo coined minor
  denominations. This is also cleared up. Previously
  undocumented and unknown contemporary descriptions and
  analysis of the various emissions of coins is presented, and by
  contrasting these with the actual coins known, it is possible to
  establish that the previously enigmatic and often called
  "dubious" specimens are in fact genuine. The diagnostics to
  identify genuine coins are also presented.  Other relevant items
  such as the mint employees' identities are also revealed,
  including the mysterious "T.H." whose initials appear on the
  Coquimbo coins. Illustrations of many known specimens of
  these coins along with a record of virtually all of their auction
  appearances are presented.

  The book (ISBN 956-291-669-3) is hardcovered, 176 pages
  long, and printed on high quality "couche" paper. Those
  wishing to order it are encouraged to do so, and may contact
  the author directly at clejara@yahoo.com or myself at
  alan@ludeca.com. Orders will be shipped now from
  Santiago, or from within the U.S. at the end of this month."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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