Mexico 1744-Mo M 1/2 real

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This date is one of a series struck 1742-47 for Philip V. It is considered somewhat scarce. It is distinguished from earlier issues (KM 65, 1732-41) of pillar half reals by having the crowned shield extend to the rim. Gilboy^[1] lists the date as "normal" with no varieties for the year.

Mexican numismatists hotly debate which side of the coin constitutes the obverse. Gilboy^[1] depicts the shield side as the obverse as that side bears the king's name. However, auction catalogs and dealer listings more frequently use the pillars and globes side as the obverse, as that side bears the date.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.69 grams, .917 fine silver, .049 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: Cayón-8307, Gilboy M-05-17, KM 66.

Source:

• ^[1]Gilboy, Frank F., The Milled Columnarios of Central and South America: Spanish American Pillar Coinage, 1732 to 1772, Regina, Saskatchewan: Prairie Wind Publishing, 1999.
• Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, 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.
• Yonaka, Brad, A Variety Guide to the Fractional Pillar Coinage of Mexico City, 1732-1771, Long Beach, CA: Agorocu Consulting, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.

Links to:

• 1743 ½ real
• 1744 1 real
• 1744 2 reales
• 1744 8 reales
• 1744 1 escudo
• 1744 8 escudos
• 1745 ½ real
• Coins and currency dated 1744
• return to Mexican colonial coinage, 1536-1822
• On the Pillar Coinage of Mexico, 1732-1771