Republic of Costa Rica One Colón (1948)
Year of Issue: 1948 Issuing Authority: Banco Nacional de Costa Rica Minted at: Royal Mint, Tower Hill, London, United Kingdom
Design & Symbolism
Obverse:Features the Costa Rican coat of arms, which includes:
Five stars for the five provinces
Three extinct volcanoes representing the mountain ranges
Two ships symbolizing Costa Rica’s position between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
A rising sun on the leftLegend: REPUBLICA DE COSTA RICA . AMERICA CENTRAL
Reverse:Displays the denomination “1 COLON” within a laurel wreathIncludes initials B.N.C.R. for Banco Nacional de Costa RicaLegend: AMERICA CENTRAL 1 COLON B.N.C.R.
Edge:Smooth, engraved with “B N C R” repeated four times
Technical Specifications:
Composition:Copper-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni)
Weight:10 g
Diameter:29 mm
Thickness:2.0 mm
Shape:Round
Orientation:Coin alignment ↑↓
Mintage:1,350,000 coins
Status:Demonetized, but redeemable at the Central Bank of Costa Rica
Historical Context:This coin was issued during the final year of Costa Rica’s First Republic (1848–1948), marking a transitional moment in the nation's political and monetary history. It reflects both the national identity and economic modernization of mid-20th-century Costa Rica.
