Mexican Coin To Identify

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by CamaroDMD, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    OK, I am going through all my random foreign coins and trying to get them all identified and put in a book. Here is a coin that I can't identify.

    I know that it is from Mexico and is approximately 20mm in diameter. The coin appears to be silver. Clearly it is heavily worn.

    I would like to confirm that this is Mexican. Then, please help me identify the denomination, a range of years it was minted in, and it's composition.

    Thanks!!!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    The design was used on the Mexican Reales coins from the 1830s to the 1890s. There are several mintmarks & varieties (like hundreds). The KM book doesn't list the diameters but it does list the weights. Here are some approximations:

    1 Real = 3.388 gm
    2 reales = 6.768 gms
    4 reales = 13.54 gms
    8 reales = 27.07 gms

    The date would be located at the bottom of the reverse under the cap (to the left of the 10D 20G which is visible on your coin). I cannot read the date on your coin.
     
  4. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    It is 0.9090 to 0.9030 silver depending upon the year and denomination.
     
  5. acanthite

    acanthite ALIIS DIVES

    It is a Mexican 1 reale. Silver fineness is 0.903. Mint appears to be Zacatecas. Don't know if you will be able to determine the date.
     
  6. hontonai

    hontonai Registered Contrarian

    But unless otherwise specified, the photos are "life-size", and 20mm is right on, according to my calipers.
     
  7. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    This is a good example of when the book is more usefull than the DVD.
     
  8. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    I didn't think I would be able to determine an exact date. I was thinking that maybe based on design markers a date range could be determined. Unfortunately, I know nothing about this design.
     
  9. acanthite

    acanthite ALIIS DIVES

    If it were an 8 reales, there are sources that would definitely be able to narrow it down by subtle differences in the design. However, I cannot think of a reference that would help for this denomination. One tedious way to do it yourself is find photos from 1 reales from different years (assuming Zacatecas mint) and compare case by case. Unfortunately, the coin may be too worn for that either.
     
  10. Ripley

    Ripley Senior Member

    Mexican 1 reale, probaly the Zacatecas mint. The smaller denomination coins always get it worse (wear). Here is mine from 1827. You may be able to box the era of the coin by the hungry buzzard on the rear, they change over time. Traci :eek:
     

    Attached Files:

  11. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Well, I'm not that worried about it. It's just an old worn coin that is going into a 2x2. But, could you tell me the years that this coin was minted...even if it's a 50 year range just so I can put that on the flip. I just want to be able to put "1820-1875" or something along those lines. Thanks!
     
  12. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Here's mine, a 4 Reales from Mexico. Got it off ebay, came all the way from the Phillipines. My coins approx size is like a franklin half dollar. :bow:
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Ripley

    Ripley Senior Member

    1821-1865 for that hungary buzzard. They went decimal in 1866. Traci :eek:
    Dip in Magna Glo then look at your coin under ultra violet light. The date may come up.
     
  14. kaparthy

    kaparthy Well-Known Member

  15. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    OK, I think I have just about all the information I was looking for. One more question though. It was mentioned earlier that it was thought this coin came from the Zacatecas mint. How can you tell, is there a mint mark somewhere or what?
     
  16. acanthite

    acanthite ALIIS DIVES

    On the cap and rays side, at about 9:00 there are the tops of some letters. The most visible are 1R, after that is the top of what looks like a Z, that is the mint designator.
     
  17. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    OK, I see. Thanks. Also, is the cap and rays side considered the obverse?
     
  18. acanthite

    acanthite ALIIS DIVES

    No, I believe the consensus is that the eagle side is the obverse, since it is effectively the 'coat of arms'.
     
  19. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    OK, thanks for all your help!!! :thumb:
     
  20. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Yeah too bad you can't sell this old coinage as error coins. If you take a look at the fractionals, alot of them are very off center. No one cares as they'd prefer an off center US quarter. go figure :D
     
  21. Ripley

    Ripley Senior Member

    Ahhh Fret you noticed my 1 reale was off struck...Very astute. Perhaps a Loyalist was working at the mint that day. Traci :eek:
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page