1997 is the last date of Haiti’s 5 centimes with the portrait of Charlemagne Péralte: the denomination was never struck again, so this coin closes the story of the smallest unit of change of the Third Republic.

The type was introduced in 1986, and in 1995 the coin was switched from alloy to nickel-plated steel. That change created variety KM# 154a, which the Royal Mint in Britain struck only twice, in 1995 and 1997.

The obverse shows Péralte, leader of the Caco guerrillas who took up arms against the US occupation of 1915; he was killed in 1919 and entered Haiti’s pantheon of national heroes. The reverse carries the arms with the palm tree and Phrygian cap, a large figure 5 and the republican motto.

Condition UNC: the coin has never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre. In a Haiti date run it is the final date of the denomination, the full stop at the end of the 5 centimes series.

Would you like to complete the whole series? See the other issues in the VPcoins catalogue.