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VENEZUELA - MARACAIBO LEPER COLONY - 5 CENTIMOS 1916 KM-L10 CHOICE AU
VENEZUELA - MARACAIBO LEPER COLONY - 5 CENTIMOS 1916 KM-L10 CHOICE AU

VENEZUELA - MARACAIBO LEPER COLONY - 5 CENTIMOS 1916 KM-L10 CHOICE AU

$ 18.47

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Venezuela
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
  • Item must be returned within: 30 Days
  • Denomination: 5 Centimos
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Year: 1916
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Condition: Very scarce 1916 Maracaibo Leper Colony 5 Centimos token
  • Certification: Uncertified

    Description

    VENEZUELA - MARACAIBO LEPER COLONY COINAGE - 5 CENTIMOS 1916 issue. "Lazareto Nacional". 20mm. Choice AU. SEE PHOTOS.
    KM-L10
    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. 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.
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