{"id":26154,"date":"2022-12-12T13:12:04","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T12:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rarecoinv4.wpengine.com\/blog\/the-heroes-of-the-pacific-war-1879-1883\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T23:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T21:28:13","slug":"the-heroes-of-the-pacifist-war-1879-1883","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rarecoin.store\/en\/blog\/the-heroes-of-the-pacific-war-1879-1883\/","title":{"rendered":"The Heroes of the Pacific War (1879\u20131883) \u2013 El\u00edas Aguirre and Alfonso Ugarte"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Heroes of the Pacific War (1879\u20131883) \u2013 El\u00edas Aguirre and Alfonso Ugarte<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

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. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

The Pacific War of 1879\u20131883 \u200b\u200brefers 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 El\u00edas Aguirre Romero<\/strong> and Alfonso Ugarte<\/strong> , two men who became symbols of bravery and patriotism during the war. <\/p>\n\n

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Elias Aguirre \u2013 Naval officer, scholar and fallen soldier of Angamos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

El\u00edas 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<\/strong> in 1866, for which he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and awarded the title “Benem\u00e9rito de la Patria” (Benefactor of the Fatherland). <\/p>\n\n

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 Hu\u00e1scar<\/strong> under Miguel Grau. <\/p>\n\n

After Grau’s death at the Battle of Angamos (October 8, 1879),<\/strong> Aguirre assumed command \u2013 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<\/strong> since 1908. <\/p>\n\n

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Alfonso Ugarte \u2013 entrepreneur, volunteer and defender of Arica<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Alfonso Ugarte (1847\u20131880) 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<\/strong> , financed a battalion, and personally participated in the battles of San Francisco and Tarapac\u00e1. <\/p>\n\n

Ugarte became famous for his death at the Battle of Arica (June 7, 1880)<\/strong> . 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. <\/p>\n\n

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Gold coins from Peru \u2013 the \u201cHeroes of the Pacific War\u201d series<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

To commemorate the national heroes of the war years, Peru issued a special series of gold coins at the end of the 1970s:
\u201cHeroes of the Pacific War\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n

From our selection:<\/p>\n\n