Coin Portrait of the Week #3

[Drusus]

Y 42 Modern Venezuela 1 Bolivar Depicting Simón Bolívar

 

 

 

1967 Venezuela 1 Bolivar / Simon Bolivar / KM 42 / Nickel

 

This coin depicts Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Ponte Palacios y Blanc commonly referred to as Simon Bolivar (El Libertador). His portrait has been on Venezuelan coins for more than 100 years as one of that countries (and South and Central America) greatest historical figures. Born in 1783 Caracas, Venezuela to a wealthy family of Spanish decent Bolivar became a revered Latin American hero specifically in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia where he lead fights for independence.

 

His successes against the Spanish and his abilities, both military and political, helped many South American countries free themselves from Spanish rule. He was instrumental in the formation of the federation covering much of modern Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador called the Gran Colombia (an early federation of South American States) and was its first president.

 

Simon Bolivar was a liberal thinker and a great admirer of the American Revolution and had a vision of South America as being a federation of States or Republics. He was the General and first President or Liberator of 6 nations including Bolivia, a nation created for and named after Simon Bolivar who wrote its constitution.

 

Bolivar found it difficult to hold these territories under one banner and took measures to institute a more centralized federal union but found resistance and dissidence eventually taking dictatorial powers. There were uprisings in Venezuela and Ecuador and an attempt on his life is said to have had a grave effects on him. He Resigned his Presidency in 1830. Later that year he died of tuberculosis before setting sail into exile.

 

Although he was unpopular with some contemporaries who opposed his view of a united South America under one federal ruling body and objected to some of his more heavy handed policies, today he is remembered as instrumental in the formation of modern South America and is cited today as the inspiration for leaders who seek a more unified South America.

 

Although he failed to peacefully unify South America he is considered the father of several nations and the liberator of several more and is today considered one of the most important historical figures in South America and the world.

 

He was the first President and a founder of Bolivia, First President and a Founder of Colombia, Liberator and President of Peru, Liberator and President of Venezuela and Liberator of Ecuador and Panama.

 

http://www.tribalsoup.com/cache/ven01.htm

[UncleBobo]

One of my favorite South American coins!

 

Down here in Texas they pronounce his name like "Bol-liver". That makes me nutty.