Guatemala Silver Coins

In the early 1960s, the Republic of GUATEMALA minted silver coins with the denomination of 5, 10, 25, and 50 Centavos. Each coin contains 72% (0.7200) fine silver and prominently depicts the coat of arms on their obverse sides, which includes the Quetzal national bird. In my collection, I have one 5 Centavos coin and a 10 Centavos coin — these are therefore featured below.

The 10 Centavos coin below was minted in the year 1964 and displays a Monolito de Quiriguá (Quiriguá Monolith), this example likely being the largest ancient monolith or stele in the Western Hemisphere. Located a short distance — about 25 kilometers — west of Honduras in the Izabal Department of eastern Guatemala, the Mayan ruins of Quiriguá stand guard over multiple monoliths, stelae, and stone calendars and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (↗).

According to the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗), 965,000 of these coins were minted — fewer than the coins minted in 1960 (1,743,000 coins) and 1961 (2,647,000 coins). Coin values updated in 2018 indicate that a coin in the Fine 12 condition is valued at $2.00 (typo on the webpage), $3.00 for Very Fine 20, and $5.00 for Mint State 60. I know my coin would qualify as a Brilliant Uncirculated one, but do you think this could be graded at Mint State 60 or higher?

Guatemala 10 Centavos, 1964, Reverse


Guatemala 10 Centavos, 1964, Obverse

The 5 Centavos coin below was minted in the year 1961 and displays a Kapok Tree on the reverse side. Below this towering tree reads the inscription LIBRE CREZCA FECUNDO, a fitting tree-related motto translating to Grow Free and Fertile. According to the NGC World Coin Price Guide (↗), 6,756,000 of the 1961 5 Centavos coins were minted. Contrasting with the 1964-dated coin above, the mint produced more 1961 5 Centavos coins than 1960 and 1964 coins. 4,770,000 coins were minted in 1960, and 1,529,000 coins were minted in 1964.

100 Centavos = 1 Quetzal

ISO 4217 currency code: GTQ