Mexico 1757-Mo M 1/2 real
The 1757MoM is one of a series of half reals struck 1747-1757, during the reign of Ferdinand VI. The first specimen was lot 344 in Soler y Llach's January 2010 sale, where it sold for 100 euros (about US$170 with fees). The catalog description noted,
"FERNANDO VI. 1/2 Real. 1757. MÉXICO. M. Columnario. Corona imperial y corona real. ESCASA. EBC" (Ferdinand VI, half real of 1757, Mexico City mint, imperial crown and royal crown. Scarce, extremely fine).
Despite the catalog notes, this specimen has similar crowns. It is distinguished from later issues (KM 67.2, 1757-60) of half reals by having similar crowns atop the pillars on the date side. Gilboy[1] lists this date as "common." He records an overdate, 1757/6, which he notes as scarce.
Mexican numismatists hotly debate which side of the coin constitutes the obverse. Gilboy[1] depicts the shield side as the obverse as that side bears the king's name. However, auction catalogs and dealer listings more frequently use the pillars and globes side as the obverse, as that side bears the date.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 grams, 0.917 fine silver, .049 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-10223, Cal-671, Gilboy M-05-35, KM 67.1.
- [1]Gilboy, Frank F., The Milled Columnarios of Central and South America: Spanish American Pillar Coinage, 1732 to 1772, Regina, Saskatchewan: Prairie Wind Publishing, 1999.
- Yonaka, Brad, A Variety Guide to the Fractional Pillar Coinage of Mexico City, 1732-1771, Long Beach, CA: Agorocu Consulting, 2017.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Link to: