Peru: New Proof Silver Coins Celebrate Bicentenary Anniversary of Battle of Ayacucho

Considered in Peru and neighbouring countries as the end of the battle for independence from the crown of Spain, the event is remembered as the decisive military encounter which secured Peruvian nationhood and ensured the same for the other emerging South American states. In 1820, Spain was experiencing political upheaval beginning with a revolt against King Ferdinand VII. A force of 20,000 soldiers meant to travel to the Río de la Plata, present-day territories in Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay in support of the royalists in the Americas were now needed in Spain. With no more reinforcements to send to the Americas, the royalist armies of the viceroyalties of Peru and New Spain - present-day Mexico were compelled to hold back forces supporting independence on their own. As the Independence of Peru had been declared in Lima on the 28th July 1821 by General José de San Martín, the declaration itself didn’t liberate Peru from Spain. Resistance of the strong Spanish royalist forces in the interior of the country led to three chaotic and martial years. 

However, in February 1824, the Congress of Republican Peru named Simon Bolivar dictator which gave him the power to completely reorganise the political and military administration. The first decisive battle which would turn the fate of independence in favour of Peru occurred with the Battle of Junín in August 1824 which was easily won by Bolívar. He then left the successful termination of the campaign to his trusted and competent lieutenant and chief of staff, the Venezuelan Antonio José de Sucre. The victory would lead up to a second battle that would ultimately result in Spanish acquiescence and capitulation.  

The ultimate battle took place on the morning of the 9^th December 1824 on a high plateau near Ayacucho, Peru, the name Ayacucho comes from the indigenous Quechua word meaning ‘corner of the dead’. The Spanish royalist army numbering over 9000 soldiers was commanded by native Frenchman Jose de Canterac and had 10 times as many artillery pieces as their foe. The revolutionary forces, which were made up of Peruvians as well as Venezuelans, Colombians, Argentinians, and Chileans numbered about 6000 and were under the leadership of de Sucre. It was noted that just before the battle, large numbers of officers and troops crossed over to embrace their friends and brothers in the opposing battle lines. Sucre opened the attack with an unexpected cavalry charge led by Colombian José María Córdoba, and in a short time the royalist army had been routed, resulting in almost 2,000 fatalities. The battle which lasted approximately four hours ended with the defeat of the royalists while the losses of the patriot army amounted to 310 fatalities and 709 wounded.

During the fighting, the Spanish viceroy José de la Serna e Hinojosa and his generals were taken prisoner which resulted in immediate calls for talks and terms of surrender. With the Viceroy seriously injured, the agreement between the two sides was negotiated by royalist commander Canterac and general Sucre which stipulated that all Spanish forces be withdrawn from both Peru and Bolivia. It would not be until January 1826 when the last of Spanish royalist soldiers departed from Callao, the port of Lima which effectively ended more than three centuries of Spanish rule and presence. Recognition of independence by England, France and the United States occurred in May 1826. President John Quincy Adams appointed a representative to Lima that month. However, it would not be until August 1879 that Spain would formally recognise Peruvian independence when a Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed in Paris, which also established diplomatic relations. Today, the date of the Battle of Ayacucho is a national holiday and will be especially marked this year during the bicentenary anniversary with special events and official ceremonies. The location of the Battlefield of Ayacucho has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019.

The proof quality coins are produced at the Casa Nacional de Moneda, one of the oldest continuously operating mints in the Americas since 1565 at their facilities in Lima on behalf of the Banco Central de Reserva Del Peru. The obverse features a replicated portion of the oil painting by Daniel Hernández Morillo (1856 – 1932), entitled Capitulation of Ayacucho which was painted in 1924 to commemorate the centenary anniversary and is presently part of the art collection of the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. In the painting, José de Canterac, representing the Spanish King Ferdinand VII signs the document of capitulation before General Antonio José de Sucre. Above the primary design is the commemorative text 200 AÑOS shown in a horizontal direction to the left and DE LA BATALLA DE AYACUCHO positioned separately. Below the painting is a latent image which includes alternating images of the mintmark of the Lima Mint and the initials BCRP, both are visible when the coin is tilted under an ordinary source of light. The reverse side features Peru’s national Coat of Arms which is centred. The text BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DEL PERU is placed above the crest along the upper rim. The denomination of UN SOL is seen just under the crest along with the year of issue 2024 and the coins’ specifications 33.625 g and PLATA 0,925. The Peruvian Mint’s distinctive mintmark comprising the monogrammed letters LIMA is placed just under the crest.  

Available from the 5^th December, each proof quality coin is encapsulated and is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity and is available with or without a presentation case. For additional information, please visit the Banco Central’s online retail webshop.