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VENEZUELA ~ ISLA PROVIDENCIA LEPER COLONY 5 CENTIMOS 1939 KM-L19 CHOICE AU NICE
VENEZUELA ~ ISLA PROVIDENCIA LEPER COLONY 5 CENTIMOS 1939 KM-L19 CHOICE AU NICE

VENEZUELA ~ ISLA PROVIDENCIA LEPER COLONY 5 CENTIMOS 1939 KM-L19 CHOICE AU NICE

$ 26.39

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Item must be returned within: 30 Days
  • Certification: Uncertified
  • Year: 1939
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Denomination: 5 Centimos
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Venezuela

    Description

    VENEZUELA - ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA LEPER COLONY COINAGE - 5 CENTIMOS 1939 issue. "Leproserias Nacionales". Nice AU. A rare grade for this coin. 18mm.
    KM-L19
    In 1826, Simon Bolivar authorized the establishment of Lazareto Maracaibo on Burro Island in Lake Maracaibo. Over time, this became a large leper colony maintained by the Venezuelan Government, where hundreds of people suffering from Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) were cared for. To provide a monetary system and prevent regular coinage, handled by lepers, to re-enter general circulation, the Venezuelan Government created a special currency.
    Between 1916 and 1939, the name of Burro Island was changed to Isla la Providencia and the name of the leper colony was redesignated to reflect this change. One series of coins for colony commerce was issued in 1939 under the title Leproserias Nacionales Isla La Providencia. These coins had value only on the island until about 30 years ago, when the illness was almost fully extinguished in South America and medical research revealed that little risk was involved from handling the coins.
    Nice About Uncirculated condition - rare grade for this coin.
    See photos! (
    Compare - another on eBay from another seller listed at 5 !!)