Zacatecas 1836 1/8 real

from the San Dimas Collection

This specimen is one of a series of brass eighth reales issued 1836 and 1846 by the "department" of Zacatecas. It is not a rare date but makes a contrast for the more common "estado libre" type (KM 338).

The Mexican constitution reserved the right to coin gold and silver to the federal government but granted the right to mint copper to the states, which right they used and abused. For some states, this was a major source of revenue as the metal content was much less than the face value. For others, it was an opportunity to thumb their noses at the central government by proclaiming their "free and sovereign" status.

Recorded mintage: unknown but probably in the millions.

Specification: 4 g, copper or brass.

Catalog reference: KM 339, DB-910^[2].

Source:

• Harper, David C. [Ed.], North American Coins & Prices, 17th Ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2007.
• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• ^[2]Bailey, Don, State & Federal Copper and Brass Coinage of Mexico, 1824-1872, Hemet, CA, 2008.

Link to:

• 1831 1/8 real
• Sonora 1836 1/4 real
• Jalisco 1836 ¼ real
• 1836 ¼ real, Soho mint pattern
• 1836-M^O ¼ real
• 1836-M^O ½ real
• 1836-D^O real
• 1836-Z^S real
• 1836-Z^S 2 reales
• 1836-G^O 4 reales
• 1836-D^O 8 reales
• 1836-G^A FS 8 reales
• 1836-G^A JG 8 reales
• 1836-G^O 8 reales
• 1836-M^O ML 8 reales
• 1836-M^O MF 8 reales
• 1836-P^I 8 reales
• 1836-Z^S 8 reales
• 1836-D^O ½ escudo
• 1836-D^O escudo
• 1836-G^A 2 escudos
• 1836-G^O 4 escudos
• 1836-D^O 8 escudos
• 1836-G^A 8 escudos
• 1838-Z^S ¼ real, private pattern
• 1845 ¼ real
• 1846 1/8 real
• Coins and currency dated 1836
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905