Peru – 1966 – 100 Soles – Naval Battle Centennial Combate del 2 de Mayo – Gold – NGC MS63

Peru – 1966 – 100 Soles – Naval Battle Centennial Combate del 2 de Mayo – Gold – Uncirculated – NGC MS63 – Cert 8662804-017

This impressive 100 Soles gold coin from Peru was minted in 1966 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the “Combate del 2 de Mayo,” the famous naval battle off Callao between Peru and Spain. Weighing in at a good 42 grams of pure gold and featuring a striking historical motif, it is one of the classic large gold denominations of Latin America and appeals to collectors who appreciate a piece that combines symbolic significance with substantial value.

Special features of this edition

• Commemorative edition marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Callao on May 2, 1866

• Large gold coin with approximately 42.13 g of fine gold and 1.3543 oz AGW.

• NGC certified in MS63 – honest, collectable condition with much original character

• Classic motif with national coat of arms and allegorical Victoria on the globe

• Edition of only 6,253 pieces – a very manageable number for such a large gold denomination.

• Stamp by the renowned Peruvian coin engraver Armando Pareja

Historical background: Battle of May 2nd

On May 2, 1866, a Spanish fleet encountered Peruvian coastal fortifications off the port of Callao. This battle is considered a pivotal moment in Peruvian history and has become a symbol of resilience and national self-assertion.

One hundred years later, the Banco Central de Reserva del Peru commemorated this event with a small commemorative series, the highlight of which is this 100 Soles gold coin. The issue thus combines the memory of a pivotal chapter in Peruvian history with a prestigious, collector-oriented gold denomination in the typical style of the 1960s.

Design and motif

The obverse features the coat of arms of the Republic of Peru, surrounded by the inscription “BANCO CENTRAL D RESERVA DL PERV” and the denomination “CIEN SOLES DE ORO”. The clear, symmetrical layout emphasizes both the official character and the value of the note.

The reverse side features a finely crafted allegory: a standing Victoria on a globe, separating the years 1866 and 1966. The inscription “COMBATE DEL 2 DE MAYO” appears in the surrounding band. This imagery links the specific historical naval battle off Callao with a timeless representation of victory, steadfastness, and historical significance.

The artistic design of the dies comes from the Peruvian coin engraver Armando Pareja , who worked for decades at the Casa Nacional de Moneda in Lima and minted numerous modern commemorative coins of the country.

Conservation NGC MS63

NGC has classified this specimen as MS63 . For a large gold coin with wide, smooth fields, this is an attractive, collector-friendly state of preservation:

• Clearly visible minting freshness and original luster

• only slight traces of contact, as are typical for the circulation and bank storage of such large gold denominations

• Overall harmonious, coherent appearance without disturbing, deep markings.

This gives the coin a balanced combination of value stability, historical significance and authentic, collectable condition.

Technical data

• Country: Peru

• Year: 1966

• Nominal: 100 Soles de Oro

• Occasion: 100th anniversary of the Battle of Callao (Naval Battle Centennial Combate del 2 de Mayo)

• Metal: Gold

• Fineness: 900/1000

• Gross weight: 46.8071 g

• Fine weight: approx. 42.13 g fine gold (GV approx. 1.3543 oz)

• Diameter: approx. 36 mm

• Shape: Round

• Minting quality: Brilliant Uncirculated

• Mint: Casa Nacional de Moneda, Lima

• Edition: 6,253 copies

• Stamp: Armando Pareja (coin engraver)

Certification

• Grading service: NGC

• Classification: MS63

• Certification number: 8662804-017

• Verification: https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/8662804-017/63/

This 100 Soles “Naval Battle Centennial” is therefore a large gold coin with a strong character, ideally suited for a specialized Peru or Latin America collection and also acts as a striking gold anchor in a high-quality numismatic portfolio.

NGC Grading, developed by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, is today one of the world’s leading standards for professional coin evaluation. With its NGC slabs, a clearly defined 70-point scale, and rigorous testing processes, NGC offers collectors and dealers an internationally recognized assessment of authenticity and condition. As a result, NGC-certified gold coins and modern collector coins have become a key indicator of quality, directly influencing market acceptance, value appreciation, and tradability.

On this page at Wasserthal RareCoin.Store, we explain in detail how NGC grading works, how the NGC scale is structured, how NGC differs from other grading companies, and in which segments NGC-certified coins are particularly interesting for discerning collectors. If you would like to better understand what an NGC slab means for the value, security, and future resale potential of your coins, we invite you to read the full article and learn about NGC grading from a numismatic perspective.

NGC Grading – Numismatic Guaranty Company