Coin
50 Pesos José de San Martín (1978) — Argentina
Argentina • 1978 • KM# 81, CJ# 312, Schön# 81
Overview
A 50 Pesos commemorative coin from Argentina issued in 1978 to honor General José de San Martín.
Specifications
- Country
- Argentina
- Year
- 1978
- Composition
- Aluminium bronze (Cu 92 Al 8)
- Weight
- 7.5 g
- Diameter
- 26 mm
- Thickness
- 2 mm
- Mint
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Mintmark
- BAᴰ
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- References
- KM# 81, CJ# 312, Schön# 81
- Issuer
- Federal Republic
Design details
Obverse
The denomination '50' is featured in the center with 'PESOS' and the year '1978' below, flanked by stars. The inscription 'REPUBLICA ARGENTINA' curves along the top edge.
Reverse
An armoured bust of General José de San Martín facing left. The text 'GENERAL JOSE DE SAN MARTIN' is inscribed along the upper rim. Two dates, '1778' and '1978', are located to the right of the bust.
Collector insights
- Series context: Part of the Commemorative issue series — collectors typically assemble full-year date runs, so single years within an established series carry demand beyond raw mintage.
- Struck at: Buenos Aires, Argentina (mintmark
BAᴰ). Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels. - Mintage vs. survival: Reported mintage of 40,601,317 is high, but circulation attrition, currency-reform meltdowns, and low collector-preservation rates mean uncirculated (MS-63+) examples are meaningfully scarcer than the raw figure suggests. Check third-party population reports (PCGS/NGC) for realistic survival in top grades.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM# 81, CJ# 312, Schön# 81. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
During 1978, Argentina was under the military administration of the Process of National Reorganization, coinciding with high inflation rates that required frequent currency updates. This specific 50 Pesos Ley issue was minted to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of General José de San Martín, the nation's foremost independence hero. The coin served both as a circulating medium and a patriotic tribute during a period of intense nationalistic sentiment and the hosting of the FIFA World Cup.
Design heritage
The reverse features an armored bust of General José de San Martín facing left, a traditional motif in Argentine numismatics that emphasizes his military role in the liberation of South America. The obverse focus is purely functional, displaying the denomination and year flanked by the issuer's name and decorative stars. The use of aluminum bronze gives the piece a distinct golden luster, aligning it with other high-value circulating denominations of the late 1970s.
Varieties and technical notes
This issue was produced at the Buenos Aires mint with a reeded edge and a standard round module. Collectors often look for variations in the sharpness of the strike on the dual dates '1778' and '1978' located on the reverse field. As with many mid-century aluminum bronze coins, check for die cracks or slight rotations which are occasionally found in high-volume Argentine institutional strikes.
Survival and modern availability
With a mintage exceeding 40 million pieces, the 1978 50 Pesos is widely available in the secondary market today. However, the currency system was eventually replaced due to hyperinflation, and the coin was demonetized, leading many to be sold for scrap or lost during the transition to the Peso Argentino in 1983. High-grade specimens with original luster are still accessible for collectors due to the large initial production volume.
Related pieces
Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Argentina in the country guide.