First Coins

In 1881, silver 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1 peso and gold 1 argentino coins were introduced, followed by bronze 1 and 2 centavos the next year. Silver coins ceased production in 1883, with gold coins ending in 1896.

In 1881, Law Nº 1130 to unify national coinage entered into force, stipulating the convertibility of national currency into gold and the minting of a coin that was known as “Argentino oro” (Argentine gold coin). This coin was equivalent to $m/n 5 (five pesos moneda nacional, the national currency from 1881 to 1969) and almost equal to the English sovereign (99.12%). In 1885, convertibility was abandoned only to be reintroduced in 1899 through Law Nº 3871, which established a $1 gold coin-$m/n 2.2727 rate.

From 1899 to 1929, the peso moneda nacional remained virtually stable against the US dollar ($m/n 2.35-1 US dollar), with some fluctuations from 1914 (when even though convertibility was abandoned, the gold standard was maintained) until 1927, when it was legally reestablished, to be abandoned in 1929.

Base metal 5, 10 and 20 centavos were introduced in 1896, with base 50 centavos following in 1941.