Zacatecas 1825 1/4 real

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen is one of a series of brass quarter reales issued 1825-64 by the "free and sovereign" state of Zacatecas. It is a common date but this specimen may have been a presentation piece as fully struck, uncirculated specimens with mint luster are virtually unknown.

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 366, DB-950^[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:

• 1825-G^A ½ real
• 1825-M^O ½ real
• 1825-M^O real
• 1825-G^A 2 reales
• 1825-D^O 8 reales
• 1825-G^O 8 reales, "hook-neck"
• 1825-G^O 8 reales, upright eagle
• 1825-M^O 8 reales
• 1825-Z^S 8 reales
• 1825-G^A ½ escudo
• 1825-M^O ½ escudo
• 1825-G^A escudo
• 1825-M^O escudo
• 1825-M^O 2 escudos
• 1825-M^O 4 escudos
• 1825-M^O 8 escudos
• 1827 1/8 real
• Zacatecas 1833 ¼ real
• Coins and currency dated 1825
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905