The Heroes of the Pacific War (1879–1883) – Elías Aguirre and Alfonso Ugarte
This article was updated for you in April 2026. We have reviewed, supplemented, and restructured the information on the Pacific War of 1879 to 1883, its historical context, and related coin topics to provide you with a current and easily understandable overview.
The Pacific War of 1879–1883 refers to the military conflict between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, the effects of which are still felt today in South American history, collective memory, and coin designs. During this period, prominent figures emerged whose courage, loyalty, and willingness to sacrifice remain part of the country’s historical memory. Among them are Elías Aguirre Romero and Alfonso Ugarte , two men who became symbols of bravery and patriotism during the war.
Elias Aguirre – Naval officer, scholar and fallen soldier of Angamos
Elías Aguirre Romero was born in Chiclayo in 1843 and joined the Peruvian Navy as a teenager. After his training, he served on various ships and participated in the Battle of Abtao in 1866, for which he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and awarded the title “Benemérito de la Patria” (Benefactor of the Fatherland).
Alongside his military career, Aguirre was also interested in science and published nautical translations and studies. During the Pacific War, he returned to active service and served on the legendary monitor Huáscar under Miguel Grau.
After Grau’s death at the Battle of Angamos (October 8, 1879), Aguirre assumed command – moments later he too fell in action. Today he is considered one of the central figures of the Peruvian naval hero myth. His remains have rested in the Crypt of Heroes since 1908.
Alfonso Ugarte – entrepreneur, volunteer and defender of Arica
Alfonso Ugarte (1847–1880) came from a wealthy merchant family and was active in trade and the nitrate industry before the war. When the conflict broke out in 1879, he consciously chose not to flee abroad. Instead, he dedicated his own fortune to national defense , financed a battalion, and personally participated in the battles of San Francisco and Tarapacá.
Ugarte became famous for his death at the Battle of Arica (June 7, 1880) . According to legend, to prevent the national flag from falling into enemy hands, he rode down the hill with the flag in his hand. This image became one of the most powerful symbols of Peruvian military history.
Gold coins from Peru – the “Heroes of the Pacific War” series
To commemorate the national heroes of the war years, Peru issued a special series of gold coins at the end of the 1970s:
“Heroes of the Pacific War”
These coins honor important figures in Peruvian history and combine historical remembrance with numismatic collecting culture. High-quality minting, classic portrait design, and limited mintages make these issues attractive to collectors of discerning gold coins to this day.
From our selection:
Alfonso Ugarte – 50,000 Soles de Oro, 1979 – Gold – NGC MS67
Elías Aguirre – 50,000 Soles de Oro, 1979 – Gold – NGC MS67
Other issues in the series:
50,000 Soles de Oro – F. García Calderón (1979)
100,000 Soles de Oro – Francisco Bolognesi (1979)
100,000 Soles de Oro – Andrés A. Cáceres (1979)
100,000 Soles de Oro – Miguel Grau (1979)
These coins are not only historical mementos, but also culturally significant numismatic documents of Peru.
Further information and gold coins from Peru
If you would like to delve deeper into gold coins from the Lima Mint and Peruvian numismatics, we recommend:
Peru – The Gold of the Incas and the Gold Coins of the Lima Mint
100 Soles Peru 1961 – PCGS MS64
100 Soles 1965 – 400 Years of Lima Mint – Gold
If you have any questions about the gold coins from Peru or the “Heroes of the Pacific War” series, we will be happy to advise you personally.
Gold coins from Peru combine a rich history with exciting modern numismatics. In our shop, you will find a selection of Peruvian gold collector coins that impress with both their designs and their often limited availability. If you are looking for a specific Peruvian gold collector coin that is not currently in our assortment, please contact us – we will gladly check individually whether we can find and procure the desired issue for you.
About the author
Larissa Wasserthal, at Wasserthal RareCoin.Store, focuses on international gold coins, historical coin designs, and numismatic topics from around the world. In her articles, she combines historical context, numismatic knowledge, and market understanding to help collectors better understand historical coins and their backgrounds.
