Leper Colony Coins


This page shares a portion of the content of a presentation on the coins issued to patients at various leper colonies in the first half of the 20th century.
It was delivered at a Saskatoon Coin Club meeting by Richard Bibby in February 2019.


NOTE: Click on any photo to load a much larger version of either the obverse or reverse sides of the coin.
Once that photo has loaded on screen, if you click it again you will see a huge photo which allows you to see every fine detail.

Part 6: Coins of the Leper Colonies in Venezuela
Article Index

6.1: Venezuela, Cabo Blanco Colony

In Venezuela there has been a hospital for lepers since the 17th century. In 1659 King Philip II of Spain, a devout Christian, asked the bishop in Venezuela to build a hospital for them, and the Hospital de Lazarinos was built in Caracas.

Early in the 20th century it was moved to Maiquetia, where it was known as Cabo Blanco (Which is the Spanish term for "White Cape").
The site was eventually demolished and became part of the Maiquetia Airport.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 0.05 Bolivares (5 Centimos)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 0.50 Bolivares (50 Centimos)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 1 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 2 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 5 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 10 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1936
Denomination: 20 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "CABO BLANCO" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
 
 
 

6.2: Venezuela, Isla de Providencia Colony
Year: 1939
Denomination: 0.05 Bolivares (5 Centimos)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 0.125 Bolivares (12-1/2 Centimos)
Variety: Brass

Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 0.125 Bolivares (12-1/2 Centimos)
Variety: Cupro-Nickel

Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Cupro-Nickel.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 0.50 Bolivares (50 Centimos)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 1 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 2 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 5 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1939
Denomination: 10 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LEPROSARIAS NACIONALES".
- Center: "ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA" and year of issue (1936).

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
 
 
 

6.2: Venezuela, Maracaibo Colony
Year: 1916
Denomination: 5 Centimos (0.05 Bolivares)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 1/8 Bolivares (12-1/2 Centimos


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 1/2 Bolivares (50 Centimos)


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 1 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 2 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 5 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 10 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.
Year: 1913 OR 1916 (Design is identical except for date)
Denomination: 20 Bolivares


Obverse:
- Outer Rim: "LAZARETO NACIONAL" and year of issue, separated by a pair of stars.
- Center: "MARACAIBO".

Reverse:
- Outer Rim: Blank.
- Center: Denomination.

Composition: Brass.


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