Palmeras, palmas y mirtos en monedas de Costa Rica (1825-1951)

Abstract

The coins of Costa Rica include a variety of plant illustrations. The first coin of Costa Rica, a gold half escudo (1825), features a palm tree. Palm branches were frequently used as wreaths in coins. Palm and myrtle (Myrtus communis) branches were also used tied as a wreath encircling the coin value, or under the coat of arms, or both. The palm tree traditionally engraved in many coins since phoenician times is the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, with attached symbolic attributes like rectitude, strength, and usefulness. The palm branch was a symbol of victory for the greeks and romans. The romans of the first century A.D. associated the date palm with Judea. In this paper we include examples of the use of palm trees of different species, and palm branches, in coins and tokens of Costa Rica and other countries. We also provide examples of the use of the palm branch and the myrtle in coin wreaths.