How to Identify the Chilean 50 Pesos Gold
The Chilean 50 pesos gold coin shares the 'Condor' design family's shield-and-bird imagery at a mid-sized scale, making it a popular but smaller alternative to the larger 100 pesos gold issue.
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What the Coin Is
Part of Chile's 20th-century gold coinage program alongside the 100 pesos "Condor," the 50 pesos gold coin was struck to provide a mid-sized gold denomination for circulation and international trade, sharing the same overall design theme as its larger counterpart.
Obverse Design & Inscriptions
The obverse displays the Chilean coat of arms with the shield flanked by a huemul and a condor, along with the legend "REPUBLICA DE CHILE" and the date, following the same general design style used across the country's gold coinage of the period.
Reverse Design & Inscriptions
The reverse shows a condor with wings spread, standing on a rocky perch, along with the denomination "50 PESOS" inscribed around or below the image, mirroring the larger 100 pesos design at a reduced scale.
Size, Weight, Metal, Edge
Struck in .900 fine gold, the 50 pesos coin weighs approximately 10.2 grams with a diameter around 26 mm, roughly half the weight of the 100 pesos piece while sharing its design elements. The edge is reeded.
Mint Marks & Where to Find Them
The Santiago mint struck this denomination; check near the date on the obverse or along the lower rim of the reverse for the mint's identifying features, consistent with the broader Chilean gold coinage series.
Telling It Apart from Similar Coins
Because this coin shares its design closely with the 100 pesos and 20 pesos gold pieces, always check the denomination text and measure the diameter and weight carefully, since visual design alone will not distinguish between the different sizes in this family.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Look at the condor's feather lines and the shield's fine details for early wear signs. A crisply struck coin shows well-defined feather texture and sharp lettering; a worn example presents a smoother, less detailed bird and shield.
Authenticity Red Flags
Verify weight and diameter precisely, since this is a common denomination to counterfeit by altering or plating a similar-sized but lower-value coin. Check for a consistent, warm gold color throughout, including on the edge, and inspect the reeding for even, mechanical consistency rather than a rough or uneven texture.
Frequently asked questions
How does the 50 pesos compare to the 100 pesos gold coin?
It shares the same shield-and-condor design theme but is smaller and lighter, weighing about half as much as the 100 pesos piece.
What is the coin's exact gold specification?
It's struck in .900 fine gold, weighing approximately 10.2 grams with a diameter of about 26 mm.
What images appear on the coin?
The obverse shows the Chilean coat of arms with a huemul and condor supporting the shield; the reverse shows a condor with wings spread on a rocky perch.
How can I be sure of the denomination if the design looks similar to other sizes?
Check the denomination text ('50 PESOS') printed on the reverse and confirm with a precise weight and diameter measurement.
What's a good way to check for a fake?
Weigh and measure the coin precisely against published standards, and examine the gold color and edge reeding for consistency.