A coin from a country with a picturesque coat of arms

Ecuador

(Map of the world showing Ecuador, from Wikipedia)

Ecuador is a country which straddles the equator on the north-west coast of South America (the name means “Equator” in Spanish). It is bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador also encompases the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago located 1000 km (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. It is home to a strange and fascinating collection of creatures, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth. The Galapagos was where Charles Darwin came up with his theory of evolution in 1835.

Back on the mainland, the first Native Americans arrived in Ecuador between 16,000 and 18,000 years ago. The first major recorded shift was in 1463 when the Inca warrior Pachacuti & his son Topa Yupanqui began conquering the country. At their most powerful, the Inca had the largest empire in the world at the time—today, it’s still the largest empire to ever exist in the Americas. Stretching from modern-day southern Colombia to southern Chile, they ruled over western South America from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. Spain conquered the Inca Empire in 1533, and the rest of Colombia, around the same time. Many Inca people retreated into the mountains, where their culture, language, and practices remain today.

Spain controlled Colombia for nearly three hundred years. Resistance grew, particularly in the early 1800s. The first attempted revolt occurred in August 1809. Led by Juan Pío Montúfor, the group was able to overtake Quito, depose the president of the Audiencia of Quito, and form a Board of Governors that stood for 24 days before falling to Spain’s royalist troops.

Venezuelan Símon Bolívar had more success liberating South America from Spanish rule. A Creole like Montúfor, Bolívar also began his campaign for independence in 1808 when Spain was involved in the Peninsular War. After liberating Venezuela, he continued his military campaign and continued to liberate Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. The liberation of Quito ultimately came about on May 24th, 1822, after the battle of Pichincha. This battle allowed the province to become part of the Republic of Colombia, eventually seceding in 1830 and becoming the Republic of Ecuador.

Ecuador has continued to have unrest. Rivalry with neighbour Peru over the border flared into clashes in 1941, 1981 and 1995. Internal conflicts resulted in leaders being assassinated in 1875 and 1921, with rivalries continuing to the present. Between 1930 and 1940, Ecuador was led by 17 different presidents—none of whom completed a term. It took until the latter half of the 20th century for Ecuador to start finding a steadier footing.

Obverse

The obverse contains the name of the country in Spanish around the top, REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR “Republica Del Ecuador” (Republic of Ecuador). The year at the bottom with the coat of arms in the centre.

Hard to fully convey uncoloured on a coin, the coat of arms contains a very picturesque scene in an oval: The sun over Chimborazo, the highest volcano is covered in perpetual snow which is the source of the Guayas River. The river continues to widen to the bottom of the oval, surrounded by lush green shores. On the river is the Steam ship Guayas: In 1841, it was the first built in South America, in the shipyards of Guayaquil. Above the oval is a condor in flight. The oval is surrounded by flags, laurel, caduceus and fasces axe. There are also four zodiac symbols. There is a lot represented here.

(Coat of arms of Ecuador, from Wikipedia).

Ecuador is one of a number of countries whose coat of arms features a picturesque landscape. Which country do you think has the most picturesque coat of arms? And which coin from that country best depicts it? Let us know below!

Reverse

The reverse contains the value, “50” in plain digits within a square of vertical lines. Underneath is the denomination “Centavos” above the value in Braille.

Having braille on coins is interesting, not least of which because it is too small to actually be felt. Tom, from Blind Coin Collector has researched Braille on coins – Ecuador is not one of the five countries he listed with currently circulating coins with Braille as this piece was demonetised in 2000. In 1988 they issued this coin as well as 10, 20 and 50 Sucres coins with similar Braille. All more recently issued coins do not have Braille.

Concrete references for WHY countries make coins with Braille which is too small to be functional seem to be hard to come by. If you have any references on that topic, please do head over to Blind Coin Collector and get in touch with Tom as I know he would love to hear from you.