Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Centimes 1986-1991, KM# 153, Haiti
  • 50 Centimes 1986-1991, KM# 153, Haiti
Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Charlemagne Péralte, country name above, date below.

Charlemagne Masséna Péralte (1886-1919) was a Haitian nationalist leader who opposed the US invasion of his country in 1915. Leading guerrilla fighters called the Cacos, he posed such a challenge to the US forces in Haiti that the occupying forces had to upgrade their presence in the country. Péralte remains a highly praised Haitian hero.

After two years of guerrilla warfare, leading Péralte to declare a provisional government in the north of Haiti, Charlemagne Péralte was betrayed by one of his officers, Jean-Baptiste Conzé, who led disguised US Marines Sergeant Herman H. Hanneken and Corporal William Button into the rebels camp, near Grand-Rivière Du Nord. Péralte was shot in the heart at close range. Hanneken and his men then fled with Peralte's body strapped onto a mule. In order to discourage rebel support from the Haitian population, the US troops took a picture of Charlemagne Péralte's body tied to a door and distributed it in the country.

REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI
1986

Reverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Haiti, surrounded by the national motto, value below.

The coat of arms of Haiti was originally introduced in 1807, and has appeared in its current form since 1986. It shows six draped flags of the country, three on each side, which are located before a palm tree and cannons on a green lawn. On the lawn various items are found, such as a drum, bugles, long guns, and ship anchors. Above the palm tree, there is a Phrygian cap placed as a symbol of freedom.

The ribbon bears the motto in French: L'Union Fait La Force ("Unity Makes Strength"). This should not be confused with the national motto of Haiti, which according to the Constitution of Haiti is "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."

• LIBERTÉ • ÉGALITÉ • FRATERNITÉ •
L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE
50

Edge

50 Centimes

KM# 153 Schön# 108
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 8.4 g
Diameter 29 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Cupronickel, 2.7 g, ⌀ 20 mm

Nickel Plated Steel, 3.1 g, ⌀ 19.9 mm

Cupronickel, 7.54 g, ⌀ 26.2 mm