Auction Catalogue
Venezuela, Providencia Island, Leper Coinage (6), Maracaibo Lazareto Nacional (2), Half-Bolivar, 1916, Eighth-Bolivar, 1913; Cabo Blanco (4), 121/2 Bolivares (3) and 0.05 Bolivares, all 1939 (KM. L1, L2, L20, L21). [6]. Fine and better, the first very rare and unpriced in KM (£30-50)
The Venezuelan government maintained a large leper colony on Providencia Island in Lake Maracaibo, for which a distinctive coinage was struck for fear of regular Venezuelan issues being circulated on the mainland after being handled by lepers. The coins passed out of common use about 35 years ago
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