CVC & Collectables presents the 1849 Costa Rica ½ Real, an officially sanctioned counterstamped coin issued by the First Republic of Costa Rica between 1849 and 1857. This piece features the Type 7 Lion inside circle countermark on a host coin of the Central American Republic (C.A.R.) ½ Real, validating it for continued circulation during a period of monetary transition. Certified VF Details by NGC, this example preserves a sharp counterstamp and clear traces of the host coin’s design.
Coin Highlights:
- Issuing Country: Costa Rica
- Ruling Authority: First Republic (1848–1948)
- Issue Type: Emergency Counterstamp / Necessity Coin
- Years of Use: 1849–1857
- Denomination: ½ Real
- Composition: Silver (.903 fine)
- Weight: 1.69 g
- Diameter: 16 mm
- Mint: Casa Nacional de Moneda, San José
- Grade: NGC VF Details (noted for surface issues or cleaning)
- Reference: KM# 67
- Counterstamp Type: Type 7 – Lion within a circle, with legend “HABILITADA POR EL GOBIERNO”
Obverse (Counterstamp):
Circular stamp featuring a lion rampant at center, surrounded by the legend: “HABILITADA POR EL GOBIERNO” (Translation: Authorized by the Government) This official validation allowed older Central American Republic coins to remain in legal circulation under the new republic.
Reverse (Host Coin): Faint remnants of the original C.A.R. ½ Real design — likely the iconic liberty cap or central legend from KM#20. These host coins were widely used across Central America until demonetized.
Collectibility:
The Type 7 lion counterstamp is among the most recognized Costa Rican necessity coinage types and is increasingly scarce in solid detail grades. This NGC VF Details example features a well-preserved countermark and clear diagnostic traits, making it a valuable addition for collectors of:
- Early Costa Rican coinage
- Countermarked and emergency issues
- Central American Republic host coins
- Latin American transitional-era silver
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