SANTIAGO, Feb 13 Two officials from the Chilean mint have been fired following the discovery of 50-peso coins with the inscription “Chiie” instead of “Chile,” a misprint that has raised suspicions of sabotage.

Discovered at the end of 2009, the error came on top of other irregularities in coins and commemorative medallions, which led to the removal this week of the mint's director, Gregorio Iniguez, and the official in charge of minting coins, Pedro Urzua.

The Central Bank said the flawed coins, which were struck more than a year ago, still had value and could continue in circulation, although users have the option of exchanging them.

Neither the bank nor the Casa de La Moneda, or House of the Coin, could say how many flawed pieces are in circulation, but they are thought to number several thousand, according to press reports.

The 50-peso pieces have a face value of about nine US cents or seven centimes of a euro.

Imprinted with the visage of Chilean independence hero Bernardo O'Higgins, the coin bears the word “Chiie” instead of “Chile,” and carries the signature of a master striker of coins that the Central Bank had insisted not be used.

The double error was made in 2008 at a time when the mint was being converted into a private company, which generated protests and unhappiness among many of the mint's employees.

“There is still concern,” said the president of the mint's board, Maria Eugenia Wagner.

Against this backdrop, suspicions of sabotage have flourished.

Coin collectors not only do not mind, they are likely to pay double the value of the coins, Rosa Lara, an expert on coins and stamps, told AFP.