Hi, I am fairly new to collecting and trying to get a handle on how to grade older Mexican coins. It seems, due to their age and way they were minted, the grading guidelines would be less strict. Are there certain regions of wear to look for which siginificantly affect the coins grade? Any certain findings (other than obvious holes, damage, etc) which would significantly affect value? If there is a web site which address this please pass it along. The coins in question are silver Mexican 1/2 real, 2 real, 4 real, 8 real, one peso, 5 centavos, 10 centavos coins from the 1730's to early 1900's (Mexican eagle coins and pre-eagle coins as well). Thanks, David
To the best of my knowledge there is no web site that offers grading tips for these coins - but the standard principles apply. Some dates from certain mints are known to be weakly struck and as always that needs to be taken into account. Books and experience are the best resources for learning how to grade these coins. I collect columnarios myself, post some pics and we can discuss the grades. You may find this web site interesting & helpful - Columnarios.com
Thanks for the link. It is a very well put together site and a great start for a new collector like me. I have recently acquired my grandfathers coin collection, I'm selling about 10/week on ebay Edited but want to keep a small part of the collection as something to pass down to my kids. I must say I am getting a bit into it... I'll post some pics of some I have particular questions about under this link in the next day or two. Thanks again. Sorry - but the Forum rules you listing that information in this part of the Forum. You may do so if you wish in the Open Forum or the Auction Forum - 1 post per week. GDJMSP
Here is a link to my yahoo photos with some of the coins: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/prenumbra2007/album?.dir=baf8 There are quite a few which were made after the column coins as well, if you (or someone else) would be knid enough to offer how you would grade some of these coins it would help so I can get a general idea of how to do this. Also, I had a few other questions about specific coins in this group: 1) The 1737 8 reales piece has some bright green/blue debris which appears ot have "grown" on it. This seems to wipe off easily, you can still see some in the depe parts of the coin becasue I was relucant to scrub it. What is this? 2) There is an 1812 SUD 2 reales piece I cannot find in my book. I have a few of these, the one I scanned was ;labeled to be double stamped. I know this was a turbulent period in Mexico's history. What are these. I have 8 reales 1812 and 1813 examples too. 3) A couple coins have solder. How badly does this affect the grade? 4) There is an 1820 2 reales piece. According to my Mexican guide book this coin is quite rare in the condition I have. However, the coin I have is slightly different from the example in the book. Different letters with the mint and assayer and shield/pillar on the back -- is this a non mexican coin from another latin american country? Thanks again, David
The green stuff is verdigris - it needs to be removed. You will probably have to buy a commercial coin cleaner and dip the coin. If you do not remove it - it will damage the coin further. You have your obverse & reverse mixed up - the side with the pillars is the reverse. The coin appears to have already been harshly cleaned and has some damage on the reverse. It also appears to show signs of corrosion. It would grade VF otherwise. I'll have to look these up as I only collect milled Spanish colonial and some of the very early pieces. This is considered to be damage and would result in the coin getting a net grade. Typically it reduces the value anywhere from 40 - 80% depending on rarity. The 1820 2 reales is from Mexico, struck at the Zacatecas (sp? ) mint. They are known to have been wealkly struck as you can see in the center of the obverse. I would grade this one as VF. The coin you have listed as Spanish cob, I don't think is a cob. I think it is a reale coin struck in Spain itself. I'd have to look it up to be sure. I can't make out the denomination in these pics. The coin is quite worn, has been harshly cleaned at least twice and has verdigris on the obverse. I would say this one would grade About Good. The 1742 8 reales would grade VF if not for the solder - F with it. It also appears to have been harshly cleaned and has signs of corrosion. The 1749 2 reales has been harshly cleaned and has corrosion damage. It would be a nice VF otherwise. Can't sure based on the pics but I think the 1751 2 reales is a cast counterfit. If genuine VF. I think the 1765 2 reales is a cast counterfeit.
Thanks for your input. Thanks for letting me know about the suspect counterfiets, I have heard this is fairly common -- I assume you suspect this based on the coin edge (at described in the website you described previously). David
Well the rim on one of the coins does look suspect to me. But it is primarily what looks like casting bubbles in the surface of those 2 coins.
