The peso is the currency of Chile. The current peso has circulated since 1975, with a previous version circulating between 1817 and 1960. 

The Incas called the valley of the Aconcagua “Chili” which was a distortion of the name of a Picunche tribal chief called “Tili” who ruled these territories at the time of the Incan conquest in the 15th Century. Native American word “Chile” which stands for “ends of the Earth” or “Sea Gulls”, the Mapuche word “Chilli” which also means “where the Land ends”. 

In 1520, the first Spanish explorers landed in Chile. By 1540, the Spanish began to annex Chilean territories to the Spanish Empire. 

By the mid-16th century, Spain conquered and colonised Chile replacing Inca rule in Northern and Central Chile.

In 1749, coins were struck at the Santiago mint in the Spanish colonial designs which were prevalent at that time. 

Until 1851, Chile also issued gold Escudos.

In 1896, ½ and 1 Decimo coins were replaced by silver 5 and 10 Centavo coins.

In 1920, 5, 10 and 20 centavos coins were minted in cupro-nickel, instead of silver.

OBVERSE: Defiant Condor on rock left

Lettering: REPUBLICA DE CHILE

Designer: Louis-Oscar Roty 

REVERSE:  Denomination above date within olive wreath, at the middle of wreath  a hammer and sickle.

Lettering: So DIEZ CENTAVOS 1908

EDGE: Reeded

Designer : Louis-Oscar Roty (1846 – 1911) was French, the most celebrated medallists of the Art Nouveau period.

Mint: "So" - Chilean Mint, Santiago, Chile 

Mintage in 1908 So 4 149 000

Country                       Chile 

Period                        Republic (since 1818)

Type                         Standard circulation coin

Years                        1908-1920

Value                         10 Centavos 

Currency                   Old peso (1835-1980)

Composition                  Silver (.400 silver)

Weight                         1.449 g

Diameter                    17 mm

Shape                         Round

Orientation                  Coin alignment ↑↓

Demonetized                  Yes

References                KM# 156.2a