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ECUADOR. REPUBLIC. 5 SUCRES. 1943-Mo
Mexico City Mint • KM 79 • Silver (.720 Fine) • AU55
A Syrian certified example of Ecuador’s classic silver crown-sized 5 Sucres issue, struck at the Mexico City Mint and honoring national independence hero Antonio José de Sucre. This popular type combines strong historical significance, substantial silver content, and one of the most intricate heraldic reverse designs found on twentieth-century Latin American coinage.
Certified AU55 by ICG, the coin retains strong remaining detail throughout the portrait and national arms, along with attractive original brilliance consistent with a lightly circulated About Uncirculated example.
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OBVERSE:
The obverse features a left-facing portrait of Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830), one of the principal architects of South American independence and among Simón Bolívar’s most accomplished military commanders.
Sucre’s portrait remains sharply defined, with strong detail visible throughout the distinctive hair, sideburns, ear, jawline, and facial profile. Light circulation is confined primarily to the highest points, while the fields remain attractive and well-preserved.
Legend:
REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR
Date:
1943
The denomination itself—“Sucre”—was named in his honor, making this coin a particularly meaningful tribute to one of Ecuador’s most important national figures.
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REVERSE:
The reverse displays Ecuador’s national coat of arms beneath the majestic Andean Condor, symbolizing liberty, vigilance, and national sovereignty.
At the center appears the national shield depicting the historic steamship Guayas, recognized as the first ocean-going steam vessel built in South America. Above the vessel rises the symbolic landscape associated with Mount Chimborazo and the Guayas River, representing commerce, prosperity, and national development.
The shield is surrounded by national banners, fasces, and military standards, while the condor spreads its wings protectively above the republic’s arms.
Legend:
GRAN 25 CINCO SUCRES LEY 0.720
This highly detailed reverse design is considered one of the most attractive and symbolically rich national arms types of twentieth-century Latin America.
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DIE & STRIKE ANALYSIS:
This example displays a notably strong strike for the type.
The intricate hair detail of Sucre remains exceptionally clear, with individual strands visible across the forehead, crown, and sideburn region. The portrait exhibits excellent separation between the raised devices and surrounding fields.
On the reverse, the shield, condor, banners, and fasces retain substantial detail despite the complexity of the design. Peripheral lettering remains bold and well-formed throughout, indicating a quality strike from dies that retained strong detail.
Overall strike quality appears above average for the issue.
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SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS:
The surfaces retain attractive originality consistent with the AU55 designation.
Considerable mint brilliance remains visible beneath the light circulation, particularly when viewed under angled light. The fields remain generally clean for the grade, while the devices show pleasing contrast and definition.
The coin avoids the heavy abrasions, cleaning damage, and significant impairments frequently encountered on larger circulating silver crowns. The overall eye appeal is enhanced by the remaining luster and balanced, natural appearance.
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HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & CONTEXT:
Antonio José de Sucre ranks among the most important figures of the South American independence movement. Serving alongside Simón Bolívar, he secured one of the most decisive victories of the liberation era at the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824, effectively ending Spanish military control over most of South America.
His contributions were so significant that Ecuador later named its national currency, the Sucre, in his honor. As a result, this coin uniquely commemorates the very individual whose name the denomination itself bears.
The coin was struck during the Second World War era at the Mexico City Mint, one of the most important minting facilities in the Western Hemisphere. During this period, many Latin American nations relied upon regional minting partnerships while maintaining distinctive national coinage designs that celebrated their own history and identity.
The reverse further reinforces Ecuador’s national narrative through the inclusion of the steamship Guayas, national banners, military symbols, and the Andean condor—an enduring emblem of freedom throughout the Andes.
Today, these large silver 5 Sucres pieces remain popular with collectors of Latin American crowns, Mexican-minted foreign coinage, independence-era historical themes, and world silver coinage.
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Collector Highlights
✓ Certified AU55 by ICG
✓ Popular crown-sized silver type
✓ Mexico City Mint issue (Mo)
✓ Named for and depicting Antonio José de Sucre
✓ Attractive Andean Condor national arms reverse
✓ .720 fine silver composition
✓ Strong strike and remaining mint brilliance
✓ Highly collectible twentieth-century Ecuador type
