Martín Miguel Juan de Mata Güemes was born on February 8, 1785, in the city of Salta. Since his early childhood, he had education which was topped with a military career.

The “gaucho hero,” as he came to be known, managed to remain outside petty quarrels. He openly advocated the institutional organization of the country and the freedom and independence of Argentine provinces until he died, on June 17, 1821, in his home province.

A circulated coin, with similar characteristics to the ones currently in circulation, and a brilliant uncirculated gold coin have been issued to honor Güemes’ memory. It should be noted that these are the first gold coins minted by Casa de Moneda, the government corporation responsible for minting currency, in 104 years –a true landmark in history.

Part of the circulated pieces -5,000- come in cardboard packs with a short biography and the issue specifications. Coins in these packs have a special characteristic they have a milled edge, whereas the individual ones have a plain edge.