How to Identify the Costa Rica 2 Colones Gold
A visual guide to Costa Rica's small gold 2 Colones coin, identified by its national coat of arms with volcanoes, wreath reverse, and compact size typical of low-denomination gold.
Read the full Costa Rica 2 Colones Gold encyclopedia entry →
What It Is
The 2 Colones gold coin was one of several small-denomination gold pieces struck by Costa Rica in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of a broader national gold coinage series that also included 5, 10, and 20 Colones pieces. These coins were produced during a period when many Latin American nations issued gold coinage tied to international trade standards.
Obverse Design
The obverse displays Costa Rica's national coat of arms, which includes three volcanoes rising between two oceans (representing the country's geography between the Pacific and Caribbean), topped by a rising sun, with the country name and date in the surrounding legend.
Reverse Design
The reverse typically shows the denomination "2 COLONES" within a wreath or plain field, along with the date if not already present on the obverse.
Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge
As a low-denomination gold coin, the 2 Colones is small, generally under 15 mm in diameter and only a few grams in weight, struck in high-fineness gold (commonly .900 fine). The edge is typically reeded, though its small size makes the reeding fine and closely spaced.
Mint Marks
Look for any small mint identification near the rim or base of the coat of arms; Costa Rican gold coinage of this era was sometimes struck under contract at foreign mints, so verify the specific mark against a reliable reference for the date.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
The three-volcano coat of arms is distinctive to Costa Rica and not shared by neighboring countries, making the design itself a reliable identifier. Confirm the denomination text to distinguish the 2 Colones from other small-denomination Costa Rican gold pieces of similar size.
Judging Condition
Because the coin is small and the design compact, wear is best judged by examining the sharpness of the volcano outlines and the sun's rays on the obverse. A coin with crisp, well-defined edges to these elements has seen less handling than one with a smoothed, indistinct design.
Authenticity Red Flags
Given its gold content, this coin is a potential target for counterfeiting despite its small size. Check for correct weight and diameter for the stated denomination, a genuine gold color and luster rather than a brassy or artificial appearance, and sharply struck details rather than the soft look typical of cast copies.
Frequently asked questions
What do the volcanoes on the coin represent?
They represent Costa Rica's mountainous geography between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, a key element of the national coat of arms.
How small is the 2 Colones gold coin?
It is a low-denomination gold piece, generally under 15 mm in diameter and only a few grams in weight.
What other denominations were part of this gold series?
Costa Rica also struck 5, 10, and 20 Colones gold coins using the same general coat-of-arms design during this period.
How can I confirm the coin's authenticity given its small size?
Verify the weight and diameter match the expected specifications for the stated denomination, and check for genuine gold color and crisp, sharply struck details.
Costa Rica 2 Colones Gold identified by the community
Recent Costa Rica 2 Colones Gold coins identified with Coin Identifier.
