How to Identify the Uruguay Peso Silver 'Artigas'
A visual guide to Uruguay's silver peso featuring the portrait of national hero Jose Gervasio Artigas, identified by its sun-and-arms reverse and crown-size silver specifications.
Read the full Uruguay Peso Silver 'Artigas' encyclopedia entry →
What It Is
This silver Un Peso was struck by Uruguay in the late 1910s, honoring José Gervasio Artigas, the country's foremost independence-era leader and national hero. The coin is commonly referred to by collectors simply as the "Artigas peso" due to its distinctive portrait.
Obverse Design
The obverse shows a bust portrait of Artigas in profile, typically in military dress, with the legend "REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY" and the date around the rim.
Reverse Design
The reverse displays the Sun of May, a radiant sun-face symbol widely used in South American independence-era iconography, along with the denomination "UN PESO" spelled out in the surrounding legend.
Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge
This is a crown-size silver coin, roughly 38 mm in diameter and about 25 grams, struck in .900 fine silver. The edge is reeded.
Mint Marks
Because this coinage was struck under contract at a foreign mint, look for any small identifying mark near the rim consistent with that mint's practices; verify against a reliable reference for the exact date if precise mint attribution is needed.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
Artigas's distinctive military portrait, combined with the Sun of May reverse and the full country name "REPUBLICA ORIENTAL DEL URUGUAY," make this coin straightforward to distinguish from other Latin American silver pesos, which typically use different national symbols or portraits.
Judging Condition
Check Artigas's cheek, hair, and uniform details for wear, along with the rays and facial features of the sun on the reverse. A coin with crisp portrait lines and a fully defined sun-face is in noticeably better condition than one with smoothed, indistinct central devices.
Authenticity Red Flags
Watch for incorrect weight or diameter, a soft or blurred strike suggesting a cast copy, and sun-face or portrait detail that looks flattened or poorly defined compared to genuine reference examples. A dull or muted ring when the coin is gently spun on a hard surface, or a magnetic response, both indicate the coin is likely not genuine silver.
Frequently asked questions
Who is depicted on this coin?
José Gervasio Artigas, considered Uruguay's foremost independence-era national hero, shown in military dress on the obverse.
What does the sun symbol on the reverse represent?
It is the Sun of May, a widely used symbol of independence and liberty across several South American nations.
How much silver does this coin contain?
It is struck in .900 fine silver, weighing about 25 grams, with a diameter of roughly 38 mm.
Where was this coin minted?
It was struck under contract at a foreign mint rather than domestically in Uruguay, so check for small mint-specific identifying marks near the rim.