Venezuela 1973 10 Bolivares The commemorative coin with varietes and Iran trial strike ?

Venezuela 1973 10 Bolivares ( Simon Bolivar )

100th anniversary of Simon Bolivar’s depiction on Venezuelan coinage

Nominal Value	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Mintage         Year
10 Bolivares	Ag	30g	39 mm	2 000 000       1973

Simon Bolivar in full Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830), was a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a leading role in the establishment of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama as sovereign states, independent of Spanish rule. Bolívar's life was the basis of the 2013 film Libertador, starring Édgar Ramírez and directed by Alberto Arvelo.
 That was in short but let focus on the coin. First ever coin with Bolivar effigy was  in 1827 from Bolivia while Bolívar was still alive, and later in 1844 they were minted in Ecuador. First depiction of Simon Bolivar on the coin in Venezuela  was in  1873 by french engraver Albert D. Barre and the coin was minted in the Royal Canadian Mint.

This coin is the second coin that is minted in Venezuela for commemorative purposes. The former was the gold piece of ten Bolívares that was put into circulation in 1930 on the occasion of the centenary of the death of the Liberator, this one is the first not circulating silver commemorative.

Mintage was about 2 000 000 pcs and proof coins - 200 pcs. What is also very interesting about this coin is the fact that exist multiple varietes of patterns, trial strikes and also some private issues. NGC says  that are known pieces include a reverse die trial strike on a square lead planchet, a reverse hub impression (uniface strike in silver), a “mule” using two reverse dies to strike a piece in silver, a reverse die strike with “ENSAYO METALOR C.A.” on the reverse in silver, and a 1973 10 Bolivares with an incuse “M” in a circle on the reverse. The "M" stands probably for metal refining company located in Los Angeles - Metalor- that could had the dies and mint own 10 Bolivares coin. 

NGC mention also about  defaced Iranian 200 Rials  cooper coin from 1971 - 2500th anniversary of Persian Empire. The piece was mint with inscription on the edge : CENTENARIO DE LA EFIGIE DEL LIBERTADOR EN LA MONEDA. This is the same inscription as you can find on the Venezuelan 10 Bolivares coin. Both coin were minted at the Royal Canadian Mint. Is this mean that Iran coin (1971) was a trial strike for 10 Bolivares 1973 ? This is a mystery for now. If gain more news, will let you know !


source: wikipedia/ own, monedasdevenezuela.net, www.ngccoin.com