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1 Sucre Central Bank Anniversary
| Issuer | Banco Central del Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Year | 1997 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Sucre |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse depicts two overlapping relief reproductions of the historic one-escudo coin struck at the Casa de la Moneda de Quito, presented as medallic intaglio portraits within the field. The left image shows the obverse of the original escudo featuring a draped colonial bust, while the right image displays the reverse of the escudo with a radiant sun motif and seated figure, closely echoing the 1833 Quito Mint design. Surrounding the central motif, the arc legend reads 'REPLICA DE LA MONEDA DE UN ESCUDO ACUÑADA EN LA CASA DE LA MONEDA DE QUITO' along the upper field. Along the lower exergue, the inscription 'UN SUCRE · ORO LEY 900 · 31.1g' denotes the denomination, fineness, and weight. The overall design serves as a tribute to Ecuador's colonial monetary heritage. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | REPLICA DE LA MONEDA DE UN ESCUDO ACUÑADA EN LA CASA DE LA MONEDA DE QUITO UN SUCRE * ORO LEY 900 * 31.1g (Translation: Replica of one escudo coin minted by Quito Mint One sucre * gold fineness 900 * 31.1 g) |
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| Additional information |
The Ecuadorian sucre had been the national currency since 1884, named after the independence hero Antonio José de Sucre. By the time this commemorative was struck in 1997 marking the Banco Central's anniversary, the currency was already in serious trouble — chronic inflation and a banking crisis were accelerating the sucre's collapse. Within three years it would cease to exist entirely, replaced by the US dollar in 2000 after the sucre lost roughly 75% of its value in 1999 alone.
The irony of issuing a gold commemorative for an institution whose primary currency was disintegrating around it was not lost on observers at the time.