Mexico 1838-Mo MM 8 reales

Stack's Bowers November 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 70621

This specimen was lot 70621 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MEXICO. 8 Reales, 1838-Mo ML. Mexico City Mint. NGC MS-62. Tied for second finest certified of the date/assayer with one other example on the NGC population report, only two finer (MS 63). Boldly struck and lustrous, this handsome example displays light attractive sunset hued tone with richer coloration atop the devices. A pleasing example of this VERY SCARCE date offering good eye appeal." The Mexico City mint struck eight reales 1824-63, 1867-69, 1873-97. Most, but not all, dates are common. The SCWC lists assayers ML (1833-42) and MM (1837-38, 1842-43) along with ML/MM, suggesting confusion as to who was actually in charge. Assayer MM is slightly scarcer.

Recorded mintage: unknown but uncommon.

Specification: 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver, .786 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM-377.10; DP-Mo21.

Source:

• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Dunigan, Mike, and J. B. Parker, Resplandores: Cap and Ray 8 Reales of The Republic of Mexico, 1823-1897, Beverly Hills, CA: Superior Stamp & Coin, 1997.
• 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.
• Utberg, Neil S., The Coins of Mexico, 1536-1963, San Antonio, TX, 1963.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1837-M^O ML 8 reales
• 1837-M^O MM 8 reales
• 1838-M^O ¼ real, private pattern
• Tuxtla 1838 1/4 real, fantasy or salesman's sample
• 1838-Z^S ¼ real, private pattern
• 1838-G^A ½ real
• 1838/7-G^O ½ real
• 1838-M^O ½ real
• 1838-Z^S real
• 1838-G^O 2 reales
• 1838-D^O 8 reales
• 1838-G^A 8 reales
• 1838-C^A 8 reales
• 1838-G^O 8 reales
• 1838-M^O ML 8 reales
• 1838-P^I 8 reales
• 1838-Z^S 8 reales
• 1838-D^O ½ escudo
• 1838-D^O escudo
• 1838-G^O 4 escudos
• 1838-D^O 8 escudos
• 1838-G^O 8 escudos
• 1838-M^O 8 escudos
• 1839-M^O 8 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1838
• return to Silver eight reales of Mexico, 1822-1897