It is well known that Mexico was a colony of Spain and borrowed the Spanish mint: 1 escudo = 8 reales. In the XVII century the following coins were minted: - 1/2 real: silver. 931, weight - 1,69 g. - real: silver. 931, weight - 3,38 g. - 2 reales: silver. 931, weight - 6,77 g. - 4 reales: silver. 931, weight - 13,54 g. - 8 reales: silver. 931, weight - 27,07 g. - escudo: gold .917, weight - 3,38 g. - 2 escudos: gold .917, weight - 6,77 g. - 4 escudo: gold .917, weight - 13,54 g. - 8 escudos: gold .917, weight - 27,07 g.
During this period, Mexican coins had an uneven shape and were called "macuquina" (from Arabian "macuq" - "wrong"). But at the same time Mexico Mint released small number of coins right form. They were produced specifically for the King of Spain and the Viceroy of the Spanish colonies as a sample of mint products. These coins had different characteristics: - real: silver. 931, weight - 3,3834 g. - 2 reales: silver. 931, weight - 6,7668 g. - 4 reales: silver. 931, weight - 13,5337 g. - 8 reales: silver. 931, weight - 27,0674 g. - escudo: gold .917, weight - 3,38 g. - 8 escudos: gold .917, weight - 27,0674 g.
In the XVIII century the following coins were minted: - 1/4 real: silver .896, weight - 0,8458 g. First coins were released at 1796. - 1/2 real: silver. 931, weight - 1,69 g. At 1729-33 (silver. 916). At the same time from 1732 were released a coins with the silver content .917 and weight - 1,6917 g. At 1742 the weight of the coin decreased to 1,69 g. But from 1757 increased to 1,6917 g. again. At 1772 silver content decreased to 903. At 1785 decreased to 896. And in 1792 the weight of the coin decreased to 1.69 g., but silver content increased to 903. - real: silver 931, weight - 3,38 g. At 1729-32 (silver .916). At the same time from 1732 were released a coins with the silver content .917 and weight - 3,3834 g. At 1747 the weight of the coin decreased to 3,38 g. But from 1757 increased to 3,3834 g. again. At 1772 silver content decreased to 903. At 1785-89 silver content decreased to 896. At 1789 and 1790 the weight of the coin decreased to 3,38 g., but silver content increased to .903. And in 1792 году the weight increased again to 3,3834 g., but silver content - .896.
- 2 reales: silver 931, weight - 6,77 g. At 1729-32 (silver .916). At the same time from 1732 were released a coins with the silver content .917 and weight - 6,7668 g. At 1742 the weight of the coin increased to 6,77 g. But from 1747 the weight decreased to 6,7668 g. again. At 1772-73 silver content decreased to 903. At 1773-84 the weight increased to 6,77 g. At 1785-89 the weight of the coin decreased to 6,7668 g. and silver content decreased to .896. At 1789-90 were produced such coins: silver .903, weight - 6,77 g. And from 1792 the weight decreased again to 6,7668 g. and silver content .896. 1/2 real 1783.
Eugene Whats even more interesting is the difference shields ,crosses, and assayers used. And how one can actually nail down the date on a dateless cob by using them. I've been fortunate to have owned several cobs from this era. They amaze me holding in hand.
- 4 reales: silver 931, weight - 13,54 g. At 1729-34 (silver .916). At 1742-47 weight of the coin decreased to 13,5337 g. and silver content increased to .917. From 1747 to 1771: silver .917, weight - 13,54 g. At 1772-73 silver content decreased to .903 and weight of a coin decreased to 13,5337 g. At 1774-84 the weight increased to 13,54 g. again. At 1785-89 the weight of the coin decreased to 13,5337 g. and silver content decreased to .896. At 1789-90 were produced such coins: silver .903, weight - 13,54 g. And at 1792 the weight decreased again to 13,5337 g. and silver content to .896.
- 8 reales: silver .931, weight - 27,07 g. At 1729-34 годах (silver .916). At the same time in 1732-71 were released a coins with silver content .917 and weight - 27,0674 g. At 1772-73: silver .903, weight - 27,0674 g. At 1774-84: silver . 903, weight - 27,0674 g. At 1785-89: silver .896, weight - 27,0674 g. At 1789-90: weight - 27,0674 g., but silver content increased to .903 again. And from 1791 silver content decreased to .896.
At the same time Mexico Mint released small number of coins right form. They were produced specifically for the King of Spain and the Viceroy of the Spanish colonies as a sample of mint products. These coins had different characteristics: - 1/2 real: silver .931, weight - 1,6917 g. - real: silver. 931, weight - 3,3834 g. - 2 reales: silver. 931, weight - 6,7668 g. - 4 reales: silver. 931, weight - 13,5337 g. - 8 reales: silver. 931, weight - 27,0674 g. - escudo: gold .917, weight - 3,38 g. - 2 escudos: gold .917, weight - 6,7668 g. - 4 escudos: gold .917, weight - 13,5337 g. - 8 escudos: gold .917, weight - 27,0674 g.
Mexican monetary system in the end of XVIII century: 2 pilon = 1 tlako, 8 tlako = 1 real, 8 reales = 1 escudo. But the smallest coin was 1/2 real. Pilon and tlaco were only counting units.
