1967 Colombia Medio Peso (50 Centavos) Coin

This is a 1967 Colombian silver-colored coin with a denomination of Medio Peso (equivalent to 50 centavos). The obverse features the left-facing profile of a woman identified as 'La Pola' (Policarpa Salavarrieta), a hero of the Colombian Independence. She is depicted wearing a traditional bonnet and necklace. The circular legend around the rim reads 'MEDIO PESO * 1967 * 12.5 GRAMOS', indicating its weight. The coin features a denticulated border. Physically, the coin shows a matte, slightly oxidized silver patina with visible surface scratches and signs of circulation wear, particularly on the higher relief points of the portrait and the lettering. The rim shows some minor nicks. While older versions of this design were minted in .500 silver, by 1967, the Colombian Medio Peso was primarily struck in a copper-nickel alloy, though it retains the classic silver appearance. The craftsmanship demonstrates standard mid-20th-century industrial minting quality from the Casa de la Moneda. The overall condition appears to be 'Good' to 'Very Good' in numismatic terms, showing clear details but lacking original mint luster.

Based on my visual examination of this 1967 Colombian Medio Peso, I have determined it to be an authentic example of a common circulation issue from that era. The coin features the iconic profile of Policarpa Salavarrieta ('La Pola'), a staple of Colombian numismatics. Condition-wise, the coin exhibits significant circulation wear consistent with a grade of Fine (F) to Very Fine (VF). The details on the bonnet and facial features are visible but flattened, and the field surfaces show numerous contact marks, scratches, and a dull, oxidized patina. Crucially, while the legend indicates '12.5 GRAMOS,' collector confusion often arises regarding metal content. Unlike earlier issues, the 1967 mintage is composed of copper-nickel, not silver, meaning it holds no intrinsic bullion value beyond a negligible scrap amount. From a market perspective, this is a high-mintage coin produced in the millions. It is readily available in dealer 'junk bins' and bulk world coin lots. Consequently, demand is extremely low, limited primarily to novice collectors filling date sets. Comparable sales on eBay and numismatic forums consistently show these selling for under $1, often just as part of larger sold lots. While the coin appears genuine—counterfeiting such low-value items is economically illicit—a physical inspection would be required to weigh the piece (confirming the 12.5g spec) and check the edge milling to completely rule out contemporary counterfeits. However, given its abundance and composition, the monetary value is purely nominal.