Ricardo Palma spent decades as director of the Biblioteca Nacional del Perú, which he rebuilt largely from scratch after Chilean forces looted and burned it during the War of the Pacific — he personally solicited book donations from governments and private collectors across Europe and the Americas. His literary reputation rests on the Tradiciones Peruanas, a sprawling series of short narrative pieces blending history, gossip, and invention, published across multiple decades beginning in 1872.
This issue belongs to Peru's long-running commemorative sol program honoring national cultural figures, struck in .925 silver at the Casa Nacional de Moneda in Lima.
Ricardo Palma spent decades as director of the Biblioteca Nacional del Perú, which he rebuilt largely from scratch after Chilean forces looted and burned it during the War of the Pacific — he personally solicited book donations from governments and private collectors across Europe and the Americas. His literary reputation rests on the Tradiciones Peruanas, a sprawling series of short narrative pieces blending history, gossip, and invention, published across multiple decades beginning in 1872.
This issue belongs to Peru's long-running commemorative sol program honoring national cultural figures, struck in .925 silver at the Casa Nacional de Moneda in Lima.