BRAZIL, Second Republic. 1946-1964. Commemorative Bar 1955 (Silver, 96 mm, 105.06 g, 6 h), SANPEX II issue on the Santos City Day. By Roberto A. G. P. Dessart, São Paulo. •SANPEX-IIΛ• / 26 A 31 / DE /•JANEIRO 1955• Fish to right within dotted border; in right field, hallmarks 'SANPEX' within fish and 'C.F.N.S'. Rev. COMEM. DO DIA DA CIDADE DE SANTOS / XV - ANIV. / C.F.N.S Ship to right within dotted border; in right field, hallmarks 'No13✱✱', '1955', '✱', 'G.D.' within circle, 'TOQUE' within square, '920' and '3-4-60'. KM-X Type IX. Rare. Tiny deposits, otherwise, good extremely fine.


The SANPEX silver bars were privately issued commemorative pieces produced for the SANPEX (Santos Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition) in Brazil during the 1950s. Rather than conventional bullion bars, they belong to the field of exonumia and were created in small editions to commemorate numismatic and philatelic exhibitions, historical anniversaries, and other cultural events.

Today they are appreciated as rare relics of Brazil's postwar collecting community and represent an unusual crossover between commemorative medals and silver ingots.