Sonora 1862 1/4 real

from the San Dimas Collection

This is an unusually nice example of a copper quarter real from the state of Sonora, struck 1859-63. 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. See Buttrey and Hubbard^[1] or Bailey^[2] for more information.

Today, state coppers are avidly collected. They are very challenging to find in nice condition and high grade examples are beginning to realize prices proportionate to their rarity.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper.

Catalog reference: KM 365, DB-850^[2].

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]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.

Links to:

• 1861 ¼ real
• Zacatecas 1862 1/8 real
• Jalisco 1862 1/4 real
• San Luis Potosi 1862 1/4 real
• 1862-M^O centavo pattern
• Sinaloa 1862 ¼ real
• Zacatecas 1862 ¼ real
• 1862-G^O ¼ real
• 1862-M^O ¼ real
• 1862-M^O ½ real
• 1862-Z^S ½ real
• 1862-G^O real
• 1862-G^O 2 reales
• 1862-M^O 2 reales
• 1862-Z^S 2 reales
• 1862-G^O 4 reales
• 1862-M^O 4 reales
• 1862-C 8 reales
• 1862-C^A 8 reales
• 1862-D^O 8 reales
• 1862-G^A 8 reales
• 1862-G^O YE 8 reales
• 1862-G^O YF 8 reales
• 1862-H^O 8 reales
• 1862-M^O 8 reales
• 1862-O 8 reales
• 1862-O^A FR 8 reales
• 1862-P^I 8 reales
• 1862-Z^S 8 reales
• 1862-C ½ escudo
• 1862-D^O ½ escudo
• 1862-G^O ½ escudo
• 1862-M^O ½ escudo
• 1862-Z^S ½ escudo
• 1862-G^O escudo
• 1862-M^O escudo
• 1862-Z^S escudo
• 1862-G^O 2 escudos
• 1862-M^O 2 escudos
• 1862-G^O 4 escudos
• 1862-Z^S 4 escudos
• 1862-C^A 8 escudos
• 1862-D^O 8 escudos
• 1862-C 8 escudos
• 1862-G^O 8 escudos
• 1862-Z^S 8 escudos
• 1863 ¼ real
• Coins and currency dated 1862
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905