Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers
Auction 122 15-16 Jun 2021
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Costa Rica. ½ Escudo,1850-JB. Fr-10; KM-97. Weight 0.0450 ounce. Indian woman leaning against column. Reverse; Coat of arms. PCGS graded AU-53. In special PCGS Ship of Gold holder which contains One Pinch of Gold Dust recovered from the S.S. Central America treasure.
Special PCGS number 675687.53/35671940. Estimated Value $500 - UP
In the aftermath of the Spanish defeat in the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821), Costa Rica and Nicaragua together became an autonomous province within the new Federal Republic of Central America. However, rising tensions and open civil war between the constituent members of the Federal Republic led to its disintegration in 1838 and the establishment of the Free State of Costa Rica under the dictatorial head of state Braulio Carrillo. He fostered a diplomatic relationship for Costa Rica with Great Britain and opened its markets to Costa Rican coffee exports, but was overthrown in 1842 by Francisco Morazán, the former president of the Federal Republic of Central America who hoped to use Costa Rica as a base for reestablishing the federation. However, later the same year, Morazán was deposed and executed in a popular uprising spurred by fear of a looming war with Nicaragua. Following a series of subsequent failed heads of state and a successful coup led by José María Alfaro Zamora, in 1847 a new constitution was enacted to terminate the Free State of Costa Rica and its heads of state and establish the First Republic of Costa Rica with its presidency.
This half escudo was struck only two years after the Republic of Costa Rica was founded. At the time Juan Rafael Mora Porras had begun his first term as president (November 26, 1849-August 14, 1859) and was beginning to introduce policies that would modify the Constitution of 1847. Whereas voting rights had previously been granted to any man born in Costa Rica who had reached legal age, a new wealth requirement was introduced that effectively prevented the great majority of Costa Ricans from having a say in their elections. This development had dire consequences for poor farmers and landless peasants who were already suffering from the privatization of the commons and now lacked any means of gaining any political representation to aid them in their plight.
Interestingly, while the obverse shield design of this coin proclaims the young Republic of Costa Rica, the reverse type is a curious relic of the defunct Federal Republic of Central America. Not only does the legend name Central America, but it depicts a female personification of the region leaning against a pillar inscribed with the date of the Act of Independence of Central America (September 15, 1821), rather than the date of the creation of the Republic of Costa Rica.
Special PCGS number 675687.53/35671940. Estimated Value $500 - UP
In the aftermath of the Spanish defeat in the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821), Costa Rica and Nicaragua together became an autonomous province within the new Federal Republic of Central America. However, rising tensions and open civil war between the constituent members of the Federal Republic led to its disintegration in 1838 and the establishment of the Free State of Costa Rica under the dictatorial head of state Braulio Carrillo. He fostered a diplomatic relationship for Costa Rica with Great Britain and opened its markets to Costa Rican coffee exports, but was overthrown in 1842 by Francisco Morazán, the former president of the Federal Republic of Central America who hoped to use Costa Rica as a base for reestablishing the federation. However, later the same year, Morazán was deposed and executed in a popular uprising spurred by fear of a looming war with Nicaragua. Following a series of subsequent failed heads of state and a successful coup led by José María Alfaro Zamora, in 1847 a new constitution was enacted to terminate the Free State of Costa Rica and its heads of state and establish the First Republic of Costa Rica with its presidency.
This half escudo was struck only two years after the Republic of Costa Rica was founded. At the time Juan Rafael Mora Porras had begun his first term as president (November 26, 1849-August 14, 1859) and was beginning to introduce policies that would modify the Constitution of 1847. Whereas voting rights had previously been granted to any man born in Costa Rica who had reached legal age, a new wealth requirement was introduced that effectively prevented the great majority of Costa Ricans from having a say in their elections. This development had dire consequences for poor farmers and landless peasants who were already suffering from the privatization of the commons and now lacked any means of gaining any political representation to aid them in their plight.
Interestingly, while the obverse shield design of this coin proclaims the young Republic of Costa Rica, the reverse type is a curious relic of the defunct Federal Republic of Central America. Not only does the legend name Central America, but it depicts a female personification of the region leaning against a pillar inscribed with the date of the Act of Independence of Central America (September 15, 1821), rather than the date of the creation of the Republic of Costa Rica.