Banco de la República presents the Commemorative Coin of the Bicentennial of the Independence of Cundinamarca
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Press release PDF |
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Coin Information (Only available in Spanish) |
Banco de la República, in keeping with Act 1683 of November 28, 2013, has issued a coin to commemorate the bicentennial of the independence of Cundinamarca, proclaimed on June 16th of 1813.
The obverse of the coin exalts the image of Antonio Nariño with the text “Bicentenario de la Independencia de Cundinamarca-1813-” and “El triunfo de las ideas,” that correspond to the message used by the government of Cundinamarca as a motto for the acts of commemorating the bicentennial. The reverse presents the current image of the coat of arms of Cundinamarca, one of the most representative official symbols of the department, including the text “República de Colombia,” the official value of the coin, and the year of issuance.
The commemorative coin of legal tender has a nominal value of COP $5,000. It is a silver color (copper and nickel alloy), with a 35 mm diameter, 2.70 mm thick, and weighing 21.75 grams. It will be delivered in an acrylic package for its face value, and will also be available in a special case which contains an informational brochure for COP $14,000. The Central Bank will initially issue 20,000 pieces, and may coin an additional 30,000, depending on demand by the public.
The commemorative coin of the bicentennial of Cundinamarca´s independence can be purchased in Bogotá at the Treasury of Banco de la Républica (Calle 13 # 35-25), Mondays to Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm; Fridays and the last business day of the month from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Additionally, it will be shipped upon demand to other cities where the Bank has Treasury services.
Why was Antonio Nariño chosen as the image for this commemorative coin?
At the request of President Don Antonio Nariño, on 16 July 1810, the Electoral College of Cundinamarca declared its absolute independence from Spain. The declaration of the Supreme Junta of Santa Fe on July 20, 1810 had been of self-government, whereas the same Junta, six days later, made a new autonomist pronouncement.
Antonio Nariño was responsible for designing the flag and the coat of arms for the new republic by commission of the Serenísimo Colegio Electoral, as well as the cockade of the army and the presidential sash. The new symbols were sworn in on August 31 in a solemn ceremony held in the Church of St. Augustine. They were promulgated by decree on September 15, and officially replaced those of Spain. The coat of arms, with slight modifications, and the flag are those of Cundinamarca since then.
Bogotá.
