Lempira, national hero of Honduras

Started by <k>, November 25, 2015, 11:21:51 PM

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<k>

Honduras lempira 1937.jpg



Honduras lempira 1937-.jpg

In 1931 Honduras renamed its currency, formerly the peso, the Lempira.

This was in honour of Lempira, its historical national hero.

A portrait of him was placed on the reverse of the 20 and 50 centavos and the lempira.

The coat of arms was shown on the obverse.


From Wikipedia:

Lempira (Lenca ruler) was a war chieftain of the Lencas of western Honduras in Central America during the 1530s.

He led resistance to Francisco de Montejo's attempts to conquer and incorporate the region into the province of Honduras.

He was mentioned as Lempira in documents written during the Spanish conquest.

He is still regarded as a warrior who offered resistance against the Spanish conquistadors.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#1
Honduras 50c 1973.jpg



Honduras, 50 centavos, 1973.jpg

The same portrait was used until 1973.

In the final year of this portrait, the 50 centavos was issued as a FAO commemorative.

The legend translates as "LET US PRODUCE MORE FOOD".
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#2


Honduras, 50 centavos, 1991.


After 1973, the next 20 and 50 centavos coins were not issued until 1978,

A very different portrait of Lempira was then used.

His face is no longer angular, and the feathers in the head dress are gone.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

#3
Honduras 50ctv 1995-FAO.jpg

Honduras, 50 centavos, 1995.  50th anniversary of FAO.


A slightly amended version of the portrait was used on this FAO commemorative circulation coin.

No other commemoratives have appeared that use the Lempira portrait.

Nor has any other portrait been introduced since the featherless portrait.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.