In 1988 he obtained the prestigious Clodomiro Picado Wright National Science Award.
So far he has written nine books on numismatics and exonumia.
Lic. Manuel B. Chacón has a degree in History from the University of Costa Rica. Master in Contemporary Latin American Studies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. He has served as manager of the Central Archive of the National Museum of Costa Rica and of the Education and Dissemination section of the National Museum of Costa Rica, Curator of Numismatics of the Museums of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, acting professor at the School of History from the University of Costa Rica.
To date, he has written seven books on numismatics, banknotes and exonumia.