The enthusiastic collector and passionate researcher Dr Fernando Chao was born in Rosario, Argentina, and cultivated a love for Argentine numismatics throughout his entire life. In this field, he established himself as an expert in a variety of subjects ranging from identifying varieties of Argentine coinage to his exhaustive research project on an interesting subject, which has received little attention by researchers, Spanish recognition medals given to the indigenous people of America, to mention but a few examples.
He also distinguished himself in the study of paper money and his important work “Bancos Emisores de Rosario” did not only become the reference work in this field but the model for and starting point of similar research projects dealing with other Argentine banknote issuers of the 19th century.
Dr Fernando Chao was active in many associations. He was member and director of the Círculo Numismático de Rosario since his youth and was president of this association, too. Moreover, he was member of several numismatic and cultural institutions of Argentina. As vice-president of the FENyMA in 2007-2009 and 2011-2013, he was part of the group of enthusiasts who founded the Federal Institute of Numismatic Researchers of Argentina in 2017. His dedication to historical research was recognized in 2011 when he was appointed member of Argentina’s National Academy of History.
Although we are convinced that his legacy will accompany and inspire us to continue his work, it is with great sadness that we mourn the loss his death means to Argentine numismatics. We pray for the eternal rest of his soul and the comfort of his family and friends.
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