Mint Year: 1838 Denomination: 8 Reales Mint Place: Arequipa (AREQ) Reference: 1838-AREQ-MV, KM-172. Weight: 13.44gm Diameter: 32mm Material: Silver
Obverse: Fortress decorated with eagles holding wreaths and with central tower surmounted by Inca crown and smoking volcano set on field with cornucopia; behind, sea with ship sailing left. All within laurel wreath surmounted by cross. Legend: FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNION . CONFEDERACION . M . V . Reverse: Radiate sun with face. Five stars above. Legend: REPUB . SUD PERUANA . 4R . AREQ . 1838 .
The Republic of South Peru was one of the three constituent Republics of the short-lived Peru-Bolivian Confederation of 1836-39.
South Peru was formed from the division of the Republic of Peru into the Republic of North Peru and the Republic of South Peru. These two Republics were founded in 1836 to be (with the Republic of Bolivia) constituent Republics of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation.
The Confederation came to an end three years later after being defeated by Chile in the War of the Confederation. In August 1839, Agustín Gamarra declared the Confederation dissolved; as a result South Peru and North Peru reverted to being a single Republic of Peru.