Among the coins of the Sandino-hat series, the 1987 5 córdobas stands out by its metal: unlike the aluminium 5, 10 and 25 centavos, it was struck in aluminium bronze.

At the centre is the broad-brimmed hat of Augusto Sandino, leader of armed resistance to the US military presence from 1927 to 1933; the Sandinista Front made this hat its symbol. Below it are the date and a sprig, above it «REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA». On the reverse a large 5 stands between the mottos «EN DIOS CONFIAMOS» («In God we trust») and «PATRIA LIBRE O MORIR» («Free homeland or death»).

The mintage was 23 million. The series came during years of high inflation: in February 1988 the córdoba was exchanged for a new one at 1,000 to 1, and later the country moved to the córdoba oro.

AU-UNC grade: practically no traces of circulation, at most faint rubbing on the high points of the hat, with the lustre preserved. In a set of the 1987 series this is one of the most striking pieces.

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