4049) 500th Anniversary of the Founding of Santa Marta (1525-2025), Colombia: Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 20,000 Pesos Cupro-nickel Coin issued by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Banco Central de la Republica (Central Bank of Colombia): Date/Year of Coin issue: 11.07.2025:
Colombia's Banco Central de la Republica has issued a commemorative coin on the milestone.
The Reverse of the 20,000 Pesos Cuporo-nickel depicts the Customs House, one of Santa Marta's oldest landmark.
This year marks the quincentenary of the founding of Santa Marta.
The oldest city in Colombia as well as the oldest surviving Spanish settlement in South America was founded by Rodrigo de Bastidas (1468 – 1527) on the 29th July 1525.
Aside from founding Santa Marta, Bastidas, a Spanish conquistador and explorer is remembered for mapping the Northern coast of South America and also discovering the land which is present-day Panama.
The town which is situated on the Caribbean Sea of Northern Colombia was named in honour of Santa Marta, the patron saint for hospitality and servants, she is a symbol of maturity, strength, common sense, and concern for others.
During the Spanish colonial era, Santa Marta served as a port for colonial New Granada, though it was often overshadowed by Cartagena in importance and revenue.
The city faced pirate attacks and built fortifications, some of which remain today.
Tales of hidden pirate treasures have add to the city's mystique over the many years, with legends suggesting hidden caches of gold, silver, and jewels from colonial-era raids may still be discovered.
After independence, Santa Marta’s fortunes fluctuated along with activity from the Port.
Revenue and commerce once surpassed that of Cartagena but later declined rapidly due to inadequate waterways.
The city became a significant banana and coal export hub in the 20th century, facilitated by multinational corporations.
Towards the middle of the 20th century, Santa Marta gained a reputation as a popular tourist destination, and became known for its historical old town centre, beaches and access to Tayrona National Park and other natural attractions.
Today, Santa Marta is famous for having some of the tallest seaside mountains in the world and was declared a tourism, cultural, and historical district in 1991.
The city is home to over half a million permanent residents who contribute to the local economy which is based on tourism, trade, port activities, fishing and agriculture in that order.
Santa Marta has become familiar and appreciated by many visitors as a modern city thanks to its travel and accommodation infrastructure.
The proof quality coins have been minted by the Royal Dutch Mint (RDM) at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Banco Central de la Republica.
The coins have been designed by collaborative effort of artists from the Department of Communication and Economic Education of the Bank of the Republic.
The Reverse of the 20,000 Cupro-nickel Coin depicts the Customs House, one of Santa Marta's most emblematic landmark structures.
Built by brothers Domingo and Nicolás Jimeno around 1730, it has had multiple uses in its nearly 300-year history.
Also included is an image of El Morro islet with its lighthouse, located in the bay opposite the city.
Along the periphery above the primary design is a geometric-patterned border and just within the border is the commemorative text "500 años de la fundación de Santa Marta".
Closer to the depiction of the customs House is additional text "CASA DE LA ADUANA Santa Marta". Below the primary design along the lower rim are the commemorative years 1525 – 2025.
The Obverse of the 20,000 Cupro-nickel Coin features a decorative amulet centred, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, representative of the region's pre-Colombian gold-smithing history of the Tairona peoples.
Above the figure is the text "PECTORAL NEHUANGE" in reference to the amulet and region.
Above the primary design along the upper rim is the coins’ denomination in text "VEINTE MIL PESOS" ("Twenty Thousand Pesos") and a matching geometric-pattern border seen on the obverse and placed on either side of the denomination.
Above the amulet is a latent image which is included in the design as a security element.
When the coin is tilted, the initials "BR" or the numeral "20" is visible.
Along the lower periphery is the text "REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA" and the year "2025".
The specifications of this Coin are:
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Mintage Limit
20,000 Pesos Cupro-nickel 21.7 gr. 35 mm. Proof 200,000 pieces.
- Available from the 11th July, each coin is encapsulated and is accompanied with an illustrated Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
- A custom presentation case is also available as a separate purchase and while supplies last.
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Links:
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19) A new Generation $100 Polymer Banknote, Trinidad and Tobago with enhanced security features to "raise the bar" for counterfeiters & unscrupulous elements: Banknote circulation date: 09.12.2019:
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Links to some other interesting posts from South American countries & Mexico:
26) A new 100 Boliviano Banknote from Bolivia: issued by the "Banco Centrale de Bolivia" (Central Bank of Bolivia) on 15.01.2019 under its new 2018 Banknote Series
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Links to other interesting posts on our Ghana visit in 2013:
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2) El Mina Castle/Fort, Cape Coast, Ghana
3) History of Coinage and Banknotes of Ghana
6) Larabanga mosque and the Mystic Stone
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