Chile's decimal coinage system was introduced by the law of January 9, 1851, replacing the old real-based system, but production of the smaller silver fractions was intermittent throughout the 1850s and into the 1860s as the Santiago mint struggled to maintain consistent output. This two-year run of the half decimo coincides with a period when Chilean nitrate and copper revenues were beginning to reshape state finances, though the mint's silver supply remained dependent on Andean ore flows subject to ongoing transport disruption.
KM#137.1 distinguishes this variety from a subsequent issue with minor die modifications.
Chile's decimal coinage system was introduced by the law of January 9, 1851, replacing the old real-based system, but production of the smaller silver fractions was intermittent throughout the 1850s and into the 1860s as the Santiago mint struggled to maintain consistent output. This two-year run of the half decimo coincides with a period when Chilean nitrate and copper revenues were beginning to reshape state finances, though the mint's silver supply remained dependent on Andean ore flows subject to ongoing transport disruption.
KM#137.1 distinguishes this variety from a subsequent issue with minor die modifications.