The Argentine real was the currency of Argentina between 1813 and 1881. From 1822, it was subdivided into ten décimos. The sol was also issued during this period and was equal to the real, while the peso was worth eight reales and the escudo was worth sixteen reales. This 1828 eight-escudo gold coin was issued by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, a predecessor state of modern Argentina, featuring the Sun of May on the obverse and the Argentine coat of arms and motto (En unión y libertad, 'In unity and freedom') on the reverse. The coin forms part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.Coin design credit: United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, photographed by the National Numismatic Collection