1/2 Real

Peru's silver coinage of the early 1880s was struck under extraordinary duress. The War of the Pacific had turned decisively against Peru by 1881, with Chilean forces occupying Lima from January of that year. Mint operations continued sporadically under occupation, and the 1882 issues were produced amid a complete collapse of normal governmental authority.

KM#202 half reales from this period frequently show irregular planchet quality, a direct consequence of disrupted silver supplies during the Chilean occupation rather than any deficiency in normal minting practice.