Mexico 1819-Zs AG 8 reales
This specimen was lot 572 in Aureo & Calicó sale 238 (Barcelona, November 2011), where it sold for 125 euro (about US$198 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"1819. Zacatecas. AG. 8 reales. Pequeño exceso de plata en anverso. MBC/MBC+. (Eight reales of 1819, Zacatecas mint. Tiny raised lump on obverse, very fine.)"
Alarmed by the outbreak of the war of independence, Mexican officials opened a mint in Zacatecas so that silver ore would not have to be transported over bandit infested mountain trails. This bust type was struck 1813-22 and is rare in nice condition as most were poorly made. By 1818, techniques had improved to the point where reasonably well struck specimens are available.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 27.07 grams, 0.896 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-16015, Cal. --, KM 111.5.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, vol. 1, 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Sisó, Teresa, Eduardo Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Colleción Leunda, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó Subastas Numismáticas, 2011.
- 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.
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