Description: VENEZUELA - ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA LEPER COLONY COINAGE - 5 CENTIMOS 1939 issue. "Leproserias Nacionales". Nice AU. A rare grade for this coin. 18mm.KM-L19. 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. Between 1916 and 1939, the name of Burro Island was changed to Isla la Providencia and the name of the leper colony was redesignated to reflect this change. One series of coins for colony commerce was issued in 1939 under the title Leproserias Nacionales Isla La Providencia. 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. Nice About Uncirculated condition - rare grade for this coin. See photos! (Compare - another on eBay from another seller listed at $125 !!)
Price: 45.99 USD
Location: Brooklandville, Maryland
End Time: 2024-10-16T17:47:28.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.89 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: Venezuela
Certification: Uncertified
Year: 1939
Denomination: 5 Centimos
