Currency of Venezuela at the Royal Mint, London: Franco = 2 Reales = 20 Centavos Peso = 5 Francos = 10 Reales = 100 Centavos The monetary law of March 30, 1848 established the French franc ("franco frances"), 5·00 g, 0·900 fine, as the monetary unit of Venezuela. No detailed explanation was provided—presumably, the new government wanted to make a clean break with the policies of the conservative oligarchy ("Oligarquía Conservadora", 1830–1848) that it replaced. A table of coin ratings expressed in francos was published, and the Franco was declared equal to 20-centavos of the copper coins authorized between 1834 and 1842. Liberty-head
Currency of Colombia to establish Banco Nacional, which began operations in January 1881. A decree of 24 March 1885 authorized coins of nickel and 0.500 silver, and authorized Banco Nacional to issue notes for 10 & 20 centavos. The cost of the civil war of 1885 was covered by paper money, circulation increasing by 89%. Banco Nacional was unable to cover its notes in gold coin, but the Government compromised on suspension by paying notes in silver with the funds received from negotiating the Panama Canal. "El Banco Nacional de los Estados Unidos de Colombia" was responsible for the national note issue 1880–1885.