Zacatecas 1863 1/8 real

from the San Dimas Collection

from Stack's Bowers October 2020 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72228

This specimen is one of a series of brass eighth reales issued 1825-63 by the "free and sovereign" state of Zacatecas. It is a common date. The second specimen was lot 72228 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, October 2020), where it sold for $780. The catalog description^[3] noted, "MEXICO. 1/8 Real, 1863. Zacatecas Mint. PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield. Reversed 6 in date. Oblique reeding in edge. The sole certified example of the date on the PCGS population report. A boldly struck and well defined example in exceptional condition and as such should be considered VERY RARE and highly desirable. A rather common issue to find in lower grades, but is quite difficult to locate in such a high state of preservation. An outstanding representative of the type destined for a fine cabinet of the discerning collector."

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: brass.

Catalog reference: KM 338, DB-901^[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.
• ^[3]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The October 2020 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.

Link to:

• 1859 ¼ real
• Sinaloa 1863 1/4 real
• Sonora 1863 1/4 real
• Zacatecas 1863 1/4 real
• 1863-M^O centavo
• 1863-SLP centavo
• 1863-M^O ¼ real
• 1863-C ½ real
• 1863-M^O CH ½ real
• 1863-M^O TH ½ real
• 1863-M^O real
• 1863-SLP 5 centavos
• 1863-M^O pattern 10 centavos
• 1863-SLP 10 centavos
• 1863-C^E 2 reales
• 1863-M^O CH 2 reales
• 1863-M^O TH 2 reales
• 1863-Z^S 2 reales
• 1863-C^E 4 reales
• 1863-G^A 4 reales
• 1863-G^O 4 reales
• 1863-M^O 4 reales
• 1863-Z^S 4 reales
• 1863-C 8 reales
• 1863-C^A 8 reales
• 1863-C^E 8 reales
• 1863-D^O 8 reales
• 1863-G^A FV 8 reales
• 1863-G^A JG 8 reales
• 1863-G^O 8 reales
• 1863-H^O 8 reales
• 1863-M^O CH 8 reales
• 1863-M^O TH 8 reales
• 1863-O FR 8 reales
• 1863-O AE 8 reales
• 1863-O^A 8 reales
• 1863-Z^S MO 8 reales
• 1863-Z^S VL 8 reales
• 1863-C ½ escudo
• 1863-G^O ½ escudo
• 1863-M^O ½ escudo
• 1863-C escudo
• 1863-M^O escudo
• 1863-G^A 2 escudos
• 1863-M^O 2 escudos
• 1863-M^O 4 escudos
• 1863-G^O 4 escudos
• 1863-C CE 8 escudos
• 1863-D^O 8 escudos
• 1863-G^O PF 8 escudos
• 1863-G^O YF 8 escudos
• 1863-M^O CH 8 escudos
• 1863-M^O TH 8 escudos
• 1863-Z^S MO 8 escudos
• 1863-Z^S VL 8 escudos
• Coins and currency dated 1863
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905