José Gervasio Artigas bust right.

José Gervasio Artigas (1764—1850) is a national hero of Uruguay, soldier and revolutionary leader who is regarded as the father of Uruguayan independence, although that goal was not attained until several years after he had been forced into exile. Artigas's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday (19 June).

Engraver: Thomas Humphrey Paget (HP)

Coat of arms of Uruguay.

It consists of an oval, which is divided into four equal sections and crowned by a rising golden sun, the “Sun of May”, symbolizing the rising of the Uruguayan nation. The oval is surrounded by a laurel branch on the left and an olive one on the right, representing honor and peace, joined at the bottom by a blue ribbon.

In the upper left quarter there is a scale, symbol of equality and justice. The upper right quarter contains the Cerro de Montevideo (Montevideo Hill) with its fortress on the summit, which represents strength. In the lower left there is a galloping horse, symbolizing liberty. The lower right quarter holds an ox, which is a symbol of abundance.