The front represents the portrait of José de San Martín, born February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú in Argentina, is an emblematic hero of South American independence, having played a crucial role in the liberation of Argentina, Chile and Peru from Spanish yoke. Trained in Spain where he joined the army at age 11, he returned to South America in 1812, motivated by revolutionary fervor. He organized the Army of the Andes, winning decisive victories like the Battle of Chacabuco in 1817, leading to the liberation of Chile, and declared Peru's independence in 1821 after entering Lima. His meeting with Simón Bolívar in 1822 marked his withdrawal from political and military life, leaving Bolívar to continue the struggle for independence. San Martín spent his final years in exile in France, where he died on August 17, 1850, leaving a legacy of courage and strategy celebrated across South America.
The reverse side shows the Cerro de la Gloria is a prominent hill in Mendoza, Argentina, renowned for the Monument to the Army of the Andes erected on its summit. This monument commemorates General José de San Martín and his army's crossing of the Andes in 1817, a pivotal event in Argentina's struggle for independence. Adorned with statues depicting the soldiers, it offers panoramic views of Mendoza and the surrounding mountains. The site holds historical significance and serves as a major tourist attraction, symbolizing the fight for independence and providing stunning vistas of the region.
