Sonora 1835 1/4 real

Stack's Bowers ANA sale, lot 41332

This specimen was lot 41332 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $336. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MEXICO. Sonora. 1/4 Real, 1835-L.S. Hermosillo Mint. NGC AU-50. Despite exhibiting the usual crude strike for this issue, the current example remains impressively free from any damage or excessive wear. As such, this is a SCARCE find, being the finest by far out of only two certified by NGC. The full planchet allows for a detailed look, and the wholesome bronze surfaces make it a visually appealing example. From the EMO Collection." This is an example of a copper quarter real from the state of Sonora, struck 1831-36. 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.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper.

Catalog reference: EMO-3158.2 (Plate coin); KM-364.

Source:

• Bailey, Don, State & Federal Copper and Brass Coinage of Mexico, 1824-1872, Hemet, CA, 2008.
• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[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.

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• Sonora 1834 ¼ real
• 1835-M^O ⅛ real
• Chihuahua 1835 1/8 real
• Chihuahua 1835 1/4 real
• 1835-M^O ¼ real
• 1835-M^O ½ real
• 1835-Z^S ½ real
• 1835-Z^S real
• 1835-Z^S 2 reales
• 1835-Z^S 4 reales
• 1835-C^A 8 reales
• 1835-D^O 8 reales
• 1835-G^A 8 reales
• 1835-G^O 8 reales
• 1835-H^O 8 reales
• 1835-M^O 8 reales
• 1835-P^I 8 reales
• 1835-Z^S 8 reales
• 1835-D^O ½ escudo
• 1835-G^A ½ escudo
• 1835-M^O ½ escudo
• 1835-D^O escudo
• 1835-G^A 2 escudos
• 1835-D^O 8 escudos
• 1835-G^O 8 escudos
• Sonora 1836 ¼ real
• Coins and currency dated 1835
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905