Peru – 1965 – 100 Soles – 400 Years of Lima Mint – Gold – Brilliant Uncirculated – NGC MS66

Peru – 1965 – 100 Soles – 400 Years of Lima Mint – Gold – Brilliant Uncirculated – NGC MS66 – Cert 8662804-018

This impressive 100 Soles gold coin from Peru was issued in 1965 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Casa Nacional de Moneda in Lima and is a significant classic of the South American gold market. Weighing almost 47 grams and containing approximately 1.35 oz of pure gold, it combines a historical commemorative theme with a substantial presence in the hand – ideal for collectors seeking both substance and history in one piece.

Special features of this coin

• 400 Years of the Casa de Moneda Lima – prestigious commemorative issue from 1965

• Solid gold piece containing 1.354 oz of pure gold with a gross weight of 46.81 g

• High preservation NGC MS66

• Attractive design featuring the coat of arms of Peru and the Pillars of Hercules, modeled after the Spanish 8 Reales.

• Mintage only 27,000 pieces – comparatively manageable for such a large gold denomination.

• A highly sought-after collector’s format that also functions as a classic “store of value” in gold.

Historical context: 400 years of Lima Mint

The Casa Nacional de Moneda in Lima is one of the most traditional mints in the New World. Founded in 1565, it minted Spanish colonial coins for centuries, including the famous 8-real coins with the motto “PLVS VLTRA” between the Pillars of Hercules.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of this mint, the Banco Central de Reserva del Peru issued a special commemorative series in 1965. This not only honored the country’s long minting tradition but also created a modern, collector-oriented gold denomination that brings the iconic column design into the present day. This 100 Soles coin serves as the large, prestigious flagship piece in this series.

Design and details

The obverse of the coin features the coat of arms of the Republic of Peru, surrounded by the inscription “BANCO CENTRAL DE RESERVA DEL PERU” and the denomination “CIEN SOLES DE ORO”. The design is clearly and powerfully positioned in the center, ensuring the coin remains recognizable as a high-value official issue.

The reverse side is particularly appealing to collectors: the inner circle depicts the Pillars of Hercules with the classic scroll and the motto “PL VS VL TRA,” as seen on the historical Spanish 8-real coins. The surrounding inscription states the occasion for the issue – the “CUATRICENTENARIO DE LA FUNDACION DE LA CASA DE MONEDA LIMA 1565–1965.” Thus, the coin combines modern coinage with a clear reference to colonial coinage history, acting as a golden bridge between two worlds.

The design is the work of renowned artist and die cutter Armando Florentino Pareja, who was responsible for a large part of the modern Peruvian commemorative coinage of the 1960s.

High preservation NGC MS66

NGC has graded this specimen MS66. For a large, heavy gold coin with a wide field, this grade is anything but a given, as such coins can quickly acquire even minor contact marks during bank circulation or storage.

In MS66, the coin is presented with:

• richly glossy fields and beautiful, uniform minting freshness

• clearly defined details in the coat of arms and on the Pillars of Hercules

• Overall, a very coherent appearance that clearly differs from typical bank pieces.

This makes this piece particularly suitable for a collection of high-quality Latin American gold coins, where both preservation and historical significance play a role.

Technical data

• Country: Peru

• Year: 1965

• Nominal: 100 Soles de Oro

• Occasion: 400th anniversary of the Casa Nacional de Moneda Lima (Lima Mint Anniversary)

• Metal: Gold

• Fineness: 900/1000

• Gross weight: 46.8071 g

• Fine weight: approx. 42.13 g fine gold (equivalent to approx. 1.354 oz AGW)

• Diameter: approx. 36 mm

• Minting quality: Brilliant Uncirculated

• Mint: Casa Nacional de Moneda, Lima (Lima Mint)

• Mintage: 27,000

Certification

• Grading service: NGC

• Classification: MS66

• Certification number: 8662804-018

• Verification: https://www.ngccoin.de/certlookup/8662804-018/66/

Thus, with this 100 Soles piece you receive a historically strong, aesthetically very attractive and at the same time substantial gold coin that is convincing both in a specialized Peru or Latin America collection and as a high-quality gold anchor in a modern portfolio.

NGC Grading, from the Numismatic Guaranty Company, is among the world’s leading references for professional coin grading. With its renowned 70-point scale, distinctive NGC slabs, and rigorous testing procedures, NGC offers an internationally recognized assessment of authenticity and condition, relied upon by collectors and dealers alike. As a result, NGC-certified coins have become a clear mark of quality in many segments, significantly influencing price levels, market acceptance, and resale potential.

On this page at Wasserthal RareCoin.Store, we explain in detail how NGC grading is structured, what special features the NGC scale offers, how NGC differs from other grading companies, and in which areas NGC-certified gold and collector coins are particularly in demand. If you would like to understand what an NGC slab specifically means for the value, security, and marketing of your own coins, we invite you to read the full article and explore NGC grading from a numismatic perspective.

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