Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Córdoba 1984-1985, KM# 43a, Nicaragua
  • 1 Córdoba 1984-1985, KM# 43a, Nicaragua
Description

A new series of coins, featuring a portrait of Augusto César Sandino, was introduced in 1981, consisting of aluminium 5 and 10 centavos, nickel-clad steel 25 centavos and cupro-nickel 50 centavos, 1 and 5 córdobas. Nickel-clad steel replaced cupro-nickel between 1983 and 1984. In 1987, the final coins of the 1st córdoba were issued, featuring Sandino's characteristic hat.

Obverse

Depicts Augusto Nicolás Sandino bust facing, the country name at the top, name at the right and date at the bottom.

Augusto C. Sandino (1895–1934), full name Augusto Nicolás Calderón de Sandino y José de María Sandino, was a Nicaraguan revolutionary and leader of a rebellion between 1927 and 1933 against the United States occupation of Nicaragua. Despite being referred to as a "bandit" by the United States government, his exploits made him a hero throughout much of Latin America, where he became a symbol of resistance to American imperialism. Sandino drew units of the United States Marine Corps into an undeclared guerrilla war. The United States troops withdrew from the country in 1933 after overseeing the election and inauguration of President Juan Bautista Sacasa, who had returned from exile.

Sandino was assassinated in 1934 by National Guard forces of General Anastasio Somoza García, who went on to seize power in a coup d'état two years later. After being elected president by an overwhelming margin in 1936, Somoza García resumed control of the National Guard and established a dictatorship and Somoza family dynasty that ruled Nicaragua for more than 40 years. Sandino's political legacy was claimed by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which finally overthrew the Somoza government in 1979.

Sandino is revered in Nicaragua and in 2010 its congress unanimously named him a "national hero". His political descendants, the icons of his wide-brimmed hat and boots, and his writings from the years of warfare against the USMC continue to shape Nicaragua's national identity.

REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA
SANDINO
1985

Reverse

Depicts a value in the centre, the motto in Spanish "In God we trust" above and "Free homeland or death" below.

EN DIOS CONFIAMOS
1
CORDOBA
PATRIA LIBRE O MORIR

Edge

1 Córdoba

KM# 43a Schön# 45a
Characteristics
Material Nickel Clad Steel
Weight 8.8 g
Diameter 29 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

Related coins

Nickel Plated Steel, 6.2 g, ⌀ 24.87 mm