Colombia. New Commemorative Coins Focus on 500th Anniversary of the Founding of Santa Marta

This year marks the quincentenary of the founding of Santa Marta. The oldest city in Colombia as well as the oldest surviving Spanish settlement in South America was founded by Rodrigo de Bastidas (1468 – 1527) on the 29th July 1525. Aside from founding Santa Marta, Bastidas, a Spanish conquistador and explorer is remembered for mapping the northern coast of South America and also discovering the land which is present-day Panama. 

The town which is situated on the Caribbean Sea of northern Colombia was named in honour of Santa Marta, the patron saint for hospitality and servants, she is a symbol of maturity, strength, common sense, and concern for others. During the Spanish colonial era, Santa Marta served as a port for colonial New Granada, though it was often overshadowed by Cartagena in importance and revenue. The city faced pirate attacks and built fortifications, some of which remain today. Tales of hidden pirate treasures have add to the city's mystique over the many years, with legends suggesting hidden caches of gold, silver, and jewels from colonial-era raids may still be discovered.

After independence, Santa Marta’s fortunes fluctuated along with activity from the Port. Revenue and commerce once surpassed that of Cartagena but later declined rapidly due to inadequate waterways. The city became a significant banana and coal export hub in the 20th century, facilitated by multinational corporations. Towards the middle of the 20^th century, Santa Marta gained a reputation as a popular tourist destination, and became known for its historical old town centre, beaches and access to Tayrona National Park and other natural attractions. Today, Santa Marta is famous for having some of the tallest seaside mountains in the world and was declared a tourism, cultural, and historical district in 1991. The city is home to over half a million permanent residents who contribute to the local economy which is based on tourism, trade, port activities, fishing and agriculture in that order. Santa Marta has become familiar and appreciated by many visitors as a modern city thanks to its travel and accommodation infrastructure.

The proof quality coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Banco Central de la Republica. The coins are designed by collaborative effort of artists from the Department of Communication and Economic Education of the Bank of the Republic. The obverse depicts the Customs House, one of Santa Marta's most emblematic landmark structures. Built by brothers Domingo and Nicolás Jimeno around 1730, it has had multiple uses in its nearly 300-year history. Also included is an image of El Morro islet with its lighthouse, located in the bay opposite the city. Along the rim above the primary design is a geometric-patterned border and just within the border is the commemorative text 500 años de la fundación de Santa Marta. Closer to the depiction of the customs House is additional text CASA DE LA ADUANA Santa Marta. Below the primary design along the lower rim are the commemorative years 1525 – 2025. The reverse features a decorative amulet centred, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, representative of the region's pre-Colombian gold-smithing history of the Tairona peoples. Above the figure is the text PECTORAL NEHUANGE in reference to the amulet and region. Above the primary design along the upper rim is the coins’ denomination in text VEINTE MIL PESOS and a matching geometric-pattern border seen on the obverse and placed on either side of the denomination. Above the amulet is a latent image which is included in the design as a security element. When the coin is tilted, the initials BR or the numeral 20 is visible. Along the lower rim is the text REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA and the year 2025.

Available from the 11^th July, each coin is encapsulated and is accompanied with an illustrated certificate of authenticity. A custom presentation case is also available as a separate purchase and while supplies last. For additional information, please visit the numismatic webpage of the Banco de la Republica.