From silver to steel: over its history the Honduran 50 centavos has changed metal several times — struck in silver until 1951, in copper-nickel from 1967, while this 2016 coin is nickel-plated steel and is attracted by a magnet.

What has not changed is the hero of the reverse — Lempira, the Lenca leader who headed resistance to the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. His profile, without a feathered headdress, sits within a circle above «50 CENTAVOS DE LEMPIRA». The obverse carries the arms: a volcano between two towers in a triangle, a rainbow, a sun, cornucopias and a quiver, ringed by «REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS» and «15 DE SEPTIEMBRE 1821».

Krause classifies the coin as variety KM# 84a.2. In a collection it represents the current stage of the denomination, which is especially telling beside copper-nickel or silver 50 centavos of the last century.

In UNC condition the coin never circulated: the relief is unworn and mint lustre preserved, with only minor bag marks from bank storage possible.

The VPcoins catalogue includes both modern commemorative issues and coins of past eras.