The story of this unrecognized kingdom began in 1860 when French lawyer and adventurer Orelie-Antoine de Tounens visited the region and turned sympathetic to the local tribal leaders strugglingfor independence against the governments of Chile and Argentina. His efforts were futile against the might of the Chilean military, which captured, imprisoned and deported him on multiple occasionsand, at one point, locked him in a madhouse. Before he died penniless in Paris, he anointed a successor, a fellow Frenchman and Champagne salesman named Gustave Laciarde, who upon accession styledhimself King Aquiles I. One hundred and twenty-eight years after the founding of the kingdom, then-Prince Philippe (said to have purchased the title) authorized coinage to be produced. The obversefeatures a right facing bare head of Philippe, with "Araucania - Patagonia" around and "Felipe R." below. The reverse displays a half wreath, with "Reino Del Mapu" aboveand "100 / Pesos / 1988" at center. The coin offers an interesting view into this curious and sometimes comic period of history.

To read the complete lot description, see:
ARGENTINA. Araucania-Patagonia. 100 Pesos, 1988. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-96LUW)