Questions and Answers about the Guarniel or “Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative Coin
1. Questions related to coin exchange
Where can the public acquire the Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative coin?
The commemorative coin will be available to the public as of Friday, 15 November 2024, and may be purchased at the twenty-nine (29) branches of Banco de la República (the Central Bank of Colombia) nationwide, as well as at the Luis Ángel Arango Library and Casa Gómez Campuzano in Bogotá, prior appointment request on Banco de la República website.
It has a face value of COP 20,000, is of legal tender, and may be used for any monetary transaction for the equivalent of its face value. The coin is delivered inside its acrylic capsule and with a leaflet containing information about its features.
The coin may be acquired with a special case (optional) for COP 37,000.
A maximum of three (3) coins per user will be exchanged while stocks last.
Why maximum three (3) coins per user?
Considering that commemorative coins are of a unique and limited edition as well as the increased demand from the public to collect them, Banco de la República intends that more Colombians have the opportunity to acquire them through this measure.
Why can't I exchange the coin virtually and have it delivered to my home?
Commemorative coins are valuables on which there is a restriction on sending them by courier service. Banco de la República is currently exploring alternatives so that they can be acquired through the website and can be sent to the user's place of residence.
Why can't a minor exchange the coin?
The Treasury Department’s current regulations require for cash exchange transactions at the Treasury counters the identification of the user through his/her citizenship card (first-time or duplicate procedure ID). This means that minors are not allowed to carry out this type of transaction, including the purchase of commemorative coins.
2. Questions related to design, production, or reasons why Banco de la República issues commemorative coins
Why did Banco de la República mint the Guarniel “or Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative coin?
In compliance with Article 5 of Law 2139 of 06 August 2021, the minting of the commemorative coin of the Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” was authorized.
What elements are found on the obverse and reverse of the Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative coin?
The obverse shows the image of the typical "carriel antioqueño" in which a border is visible at the upper part with four dotted, parallel, and concentric lines representing the stitching of the carriel. Made of leather, it has a strap for carrying it slung across the shoulder. Its characteristic bellows-like shape is defined by its multiple pockets, twelve on average, including five “secret” ones, whose openings are concealed so that only the owners know where they keep their most personal items. The buckle, eyelets, rings, and rivets guarantee its durability, which is essential for an item associated with work and travel.
The reverse shows a muleteer seen from behind wearing an “Aguadeño” hat, a leather apron, and his essential carriel. He is looking towards the mountains, the setting of the Antioquian colonization during which Jericó was founded in 1850. The production of carrieles began there in the 19th century and soon spread to other municipalities such as Envigado. It also includes the border with the four parallel, dotted, and concentric lines representing the carriel’s stitching, a latent image as a security feature that, depending on the angle from which it is viewed, reflects the initials “BR” (which stands for Banco de la República) or the Arabic numeral “20,” the caption REPÚBLICA DE COLOMBIA (REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA), the denomination of COP $20,000, and the year 2024.
What are the features or technical specifications of the coin?
The Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” coin has a face value of COP $20,000; 200,000 pieces were minted. The coin is made of an alloy composed of 65% +/-2 copper, 15% +/-2 nickel, and 20% +/-2 zinc, known as White Alpacca. The diameter is 35 mm (± 0.1 mm), an average weight of 21.75 g (± 3.0%), and the coin has a plain edge.
A peculiarity of the Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative coin, unlike other commemorative coins issued by Banco de la República, is that when rotating the obverse around its vertical axis, the orientation of the reverse design is not inverted. This is due to a design consideration for the coin’s heptagonal shape, a feature found in coins from various countries.
Who manufactured the Guarniel or “Carriel Antioqueño” commemorative coin?
The design was made by the Communication and Economic Education Department of Banco de la República. In turn, the Royal Dutch Mint was the company selected to manufacture the Guarniel / “Carriel Antioqueño” coin following an invitation process to several potential bidders.
Why was the coin not produced at Banco de la República’s Mint?
Considering the high occupancy of the Mint in the production of national coins and the special effort and time needed to produce the commemorative coin, it was decided to rely on a third party.
