Emergency Coinage of the Day: THE PESO OF COPIAPO, CHILI
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From "The Numismatist, 1919"
Link to original article
The blockade of the Chilean ports by Spain in 1865 had its origin in a diplomatic affair between Spain and Peru, in which Spain sought redress for the killing of two colonists who had recently arrived in Peru from Spain. The Spanish agent conducting negotiations had become enraged at his real or fancied ill-treatment, and in April, 1864, siezed one of the Chincha guano islands and demanded $3,000,000 indemnification. Chile's sympathy with Peru in the latter's difficulty with Spain was so manifest that the Spanish Charge d'Affairs in Chile was recalled on July 25. On September 17 Admiral Pereja and his fleet sailed into Valparaiso Harbor and demanded reparation, immediate hostilities being the alternative. Four days were given in which to make certain stipulated reparations, which Chile refused to agree to, and her Congress prepared for war.
Admiral Pereja's fleet at Valparaiso consisted of seven vessels, and with these he announced his intention of blockading some 40 ports. Whether it was because of the small number of vessels or the remonstrances of the diplomatic corps, who protested against the blockade, he reduced the number from 4 0 to 6, and finally to 4—Caldera, Coquimbo, Valparaiso and Talcahuano, and even these were not entirely effective. Chile's navy at this time consisted of two vessels and a tug steamer mounting two guns. It succeeded in capturing two of Admiral Pereja's vessels and taking a number of prisoners, which so discouraged the admiral that he committed suicide. His successor immediately raised the blockade of the ports except Valparaiso and Caldera.
On March 31, 1866, the city of Valpariso was bombarded by the Spanish fleet for three hours. The blockade at this port was raised a few weeks later, and the fleet sailed north to begin the blockade at Callao. The Chilean government then issued a decree ordering all Spanish residents to quit the ountry or become naturalized, most of them doing the latter.
Hostilities were abandoned shortly after this, but the war existed Dn paper until 1871, when an indefinite truce was signed by representatives of the belligerent countries at Washington, D. C., the Pres'dent of the United States acting as mediator.
The Copiapo' peso issued during the blockade is a circular planchet upon the obverse of which is stamped a shield containing a star, dividing the denomination "I P," above it "COPIAPO," and below it, "CHILE." The "A" in Copiapo is without the cross-bar, being an inverted "V." The reverse has merely the date, "1865" stamped in the center. All the lettering is incuse, as is also the circle around the border on both side6. The pieces have the reputation of being the product of a local blacksmith, and they look the part. They are generally supposed to exist only in silver, but I have one in nickel also. This is similar in every respect to the silver pieces except in the pos tion of the word "Chile," which is centered under the shield instead of being to the right as in the illustration.
The city of Copiapo is some 30 miles from the coast, but Port Copiapo is on the coast, and is just south of Caldera, one of the blockaded ports.
Link to original article
The blockade of the Chilean ports by Spain in 1865 had its origin in a diplomatic affair between Spain and Peru, in which Spain sought redress for the killing of two colonists who had recently arrived in Peru from Spain. The Spanish agent conducting negotiations had become enraged at his real or fancied ill-treatment, and in April, 1864, siezed one of the Chincha guano islands and demanded $3,000,000 indemnification. Chile's sympathy with Peru in the latter's difficulty with Spain was so manifest that the Spanish Charge d'Affairs in Chile was recalled on July 25. On September 17 Admiral Pereja and his fleet sailed into Valparaiso Harbor and demanded reparation, immediate hostilities being the alternative. Four days were given in which to make certain stipulated reparations, which Chile refused to agree to, and her Congress prepared for war.
Admiral Pereja's fleet at Valparaiso consisted of seven vessels, and with these he announced his intention of blockading some 40 ports. Whether it was because of the small number of vessels or the remonstrances of the diplomatic corps, who protested against the blockade, he reduced the number from 4 0 to 6, and finally to 4—Caldera, Coquimbo, Valparaiso and Talcahuano, and even these were not entirely effective. Chile's navy at this time consisted of two vessels and a tug steamer mounting two guns. It succeeded in capturing two of Admiral Pereja's vessels and taking a number of prisoners, which so discouraged the admiral that he committed suicide. His successor immediately raised the blockade of the ports except Valparaiso and Caldera.
On March 31, 1866, the city of Valpariso was bombarded by the Spanish fleet for three hours. The blockade at this port was raised a few weeks later, and the fleet sailed north to begin the blockade at Callao. The Chilean government then issued a decree ordering all Spanish residents to quit the ountry or become naturalized, most of them doing the latter.
Hostilities were abandoned shortly after this, but the war existed Dn paper until 1871, when an indefinite truce was signed by representatives of the belligerent countries at Washington, D. C., the Pres'dent of the United States acting as mediator.
The Copiapo' peso issued during the blockade is a circular planchet upon the obverse of which is stamped a shield containing a star, dividing the denomination "I P," above it "COPIAPO," and below it, "CHILE." The "A" in Copiapo is without the cross-bar, being an inverted "V." The reverse has merely the date, "1865" stamped in the center. All the lettering is incuse, as is also the circle around the border on both side6. The pieces have the reputation of being the product of a local blacksmith, and they look the part. They are generally supposed to exist only in silver, but I have one in nickel also. This is similar in every respect to the silver pieces except in the pos tion of the word "Chile," which is centered under the shield instead of being to the right as in the illustration.
The city of Copiapo is some 30 miles from the coast, but Port Copiapo is on the coast, and is just south of Caldera, one of the blockaded ports.
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real credit should go to "Portuguese Joe"!!!!
Joe, we hardly knew ye!
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