Mexico 1778-Mo FM 8 reales
This specimen was lot 44170 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $24,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "A Great Rarity from the 8 Reales Portrait Series, MEXICO. 8 Reales, 1778-Mo FM. Mexico City Mint. Charles III. NGC VF-30. Emanating from a brief series that features the 'FM' assayers' initials (rather than the much more commonly encountered "FF"), this VERY RARE wholesome example is tied with just one other specimen for the top spot in the NGC census. Adding to its appeal and flair even more is the fact that it seemingly displays less evidence of handling or wear than one would otherwise expect for the assigned grade. Assured to generate great interest and enthusiasm among collectors of the portrait series, or world crowns more broadly. From the S.P. Rutherford Collection." While eight reales of Charles III are not rare, this particular date is very rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver, .786 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-12056, KM-106.2; Cal-1116; FC-61.
- 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.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Dollars of North and South America, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1964.
Link to:
- 1777 8 reales
- 1778 ½ real
- 1778 2 reales
- 1778 4 reales
- Bolivia 1778-PTS PR 8 reales
- Guatemala 1778-NG P 8 reales
- 1778-FF 8 reales
- Peru 1778-L MJ 8 reales
- Spain 1778-S CF 8 reales
- 1778 2 escudos
- 1778 4 escudos
- 1778 8 escudos
- 1779 8 reales
- Coins and currency dated 1778
- return to Mexican colonial coinage, 1536-1822