Mexico 1855-Do CP 8 reales

Stack's Bowers May 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 70434

This specimen was lot 70434 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $240. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MEXICO. 8 Reales, 1855-Do CP. Durango Mint. NGC AU Details--Cleaned. Variety with eagle type of 1854. This decently preserved example exhibits bold devices with even wear and attractive mottled patina. Close inspection reveals evidence of a past cleaning, now subdued and attractive. Despite its shortcomings, a wholesome example of the type with a pleasing appearance." The Durango mint was opened in 1812 to strike portrait eight reales during the War of Independence. It was one of three mints to strike "hookneck eagle" eight reales in 1824. The standard eagle was adopted in 1825. Durango struck all the gold and silver denominations except the four reales and the four escudos. For this year, the SCWC reports two eagle styles, the "eagle of 1854" and "eagle of 1856". The eagle of 1856 looks like the standard eagle used at Mexico City and other mints. The eagle of 1854 superficially looks the same but has an odd feather pattern on the wings. This date is somewhat scarce. Assayer CP is listed for 1852-73. Dies at Durango were made using distinctive hubs using an elegant eagle (often called the "French eagle") but left in service far longer than at other mints, creating a multitude of varieties, including many overdates. The Durango mint closed in 1895, along with Guadalajara, Chihuahua, Alamos and Hermosillo.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver, .786 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM-377.4; DP-Do35.

Source:

• Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• Dunigan, Mike, and J. B. Parker, Resplandores: Cap and Ray 8 Reales of The Republic of Mexico, 1823-1897, Beverly Hills, CA: Superior Stamp & Coin, 1997.
• Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Dollars of North and South America, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1964.
• Salmeron, Antonio Deana, La Casa de Moneda de Durango, Acuñaciones de Plata, 1824-1895, Puebla, Mexico, 1983.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
• Utberg, Neil S., The Coins of Mexico, 1536-1963, San Antonio, TX, 1963.

Link to:

• 1854-D^O 8 reales
• 1855-C ¼ real
• Chihuahua 1855 1/4 real
• 1855-M^O ½ real
• 1855-C^A real
• 1855-G^A real
• 1855-G^O 4 reales
• 1855-M^O 4 reales
• 1855-P^I 4 reales
• 1855-Z^S 4 reales
• 1855-C 8 reales
• 1855-C^A 8 reales
• 1855-G^A 8 reales
• 1855-G^O 8 reales
• 1855-M^O GC 8 reales
• 1855-M^O GF 8 reales
• 1855-P^I 8 reales
• 1855-Z^S OM 8 reales
• 1855-Z^S MO 8 reales
• 1855-D^O ½ escudo
• 1855-M^O ½ escudo
• 1855-D^O escudo
• 1855-G^O 4 escudos
• 1855-G^O 8 escudos
• 1855-M^O 8 escudos
• 1856-D^O 8 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1855
• return to Silver eight reales of Mexico, 1822-1897