Guanajuato 1857 1/4 real

Ponterio sale 169, lot 11279

photo courtesy Stacks-Bowers LLC

from the San Dimas Collection

This specimen was lot 11279 in Ponterio sale 169 (Baltimore, November 2012), where it sold for $1,725. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MEXICO. Guanajuato. 1/4 Real, 1857. NGC MS-63 BN. RARE grade for this type." Shown is an example of a copper quarter real from the state of Guanajuato, struck 1856-57. This type is also recorded in brass. While the central government of Mexico reserved for itself the right to strike gold and silver, the states were permitted to strike the base metal coinage, a right which they exploited to the utmost. These coins could be minted and issued at a profit, a fact not lost on cash-strapped state governments. As these were to be quickly and cheaply made and forced upon a long-suffering populace, little effort was expended to make them nice; most survivors are poorly struck on badly prepared planchets and heavily worn. Counterfeits abounded and contributed to the abuse. See Buttrey and Hubbard^[1] or Bailey^[2] for more information.

Today, state coppers are avidly collected. They are very challenging to find in nice condition and high grade examples are beginning to realize prices proportionate to their rarity.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 14 g, copper, 32 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 352, DB-360^[2].

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• ^[2]Bailey, Don, State & Federal Copper and Brass Coinage of Mexico, 1824-1872, Hemet, CA, 2008.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 169: The November 2012 Baltimore Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2012.

Links to:

• 1856 ¼ real
• 1856-Go 4 reales
• Guanajuato 1857 1/8 real
• Jalisco 1857 1/8 real
• 1857-SLP^I ¼ real
• 1857-G^O ½ real
• 1857-M^O ½ real
• 1857-Z^S real
• 1857-G^A 2 reales
• 1857-G^O 2 reales
• 1857-Z^S 2 reales
• 1857-G^A 4 reales
• 1857-G^O 4 reales
• 1857-Z^S 4 reales
• 1857-C^A 8 reales
• 1857-C 8 reales
• 1857-D^O 8 reales
• 1857-G^A 8 reales
• 1857-G^O 8 reales
• 1857-M^O 8 reales
• 1857-P^I MC 8 reales
• 1857-P^I PS 8 reales
• 1857-Z^S 8 reales
• 1857-C ½ escudo
• 1857-G^O ½ escudo
• 1857-M^O ½ escudo
• 1857-C escudo
• 1857-G^A escudo
• 1857-C 2 escudos
• 1857-G^O 4 escudos
• 1857-M^O 4 escudos
• 1857-C 8 escudos
• 1857-D^O 8 escudos
• 1857-G^O 8 escudos
• 1857-M^O 8 escudos
• Sinaloa 1861 ¼ real
• Chihuahua 1865 ¼ real
• Coins and currency dated 1857
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905