Mexican 8-reales questions

[jtryka]

Ok, I was just looking through some of my Mexican 8-reales, and I had a few questions, hopefully they are basic enough someone can help:

 

1. When did they switch from the pillar obverse to the eagle? I assumed it was when the Mexican Republic was formed in 1836, but I looked and I have an 1833 that has the eagle.

2. I noticed that the earlier coins from the 1830s have a medal alignment, but the later dates (I have some from the 1860s, 1880s and 1890s) and they are in coin alignment, when was the switch made?

3. Is there an online source listing all the Mexican mints?

 

Thanks for all your help!

[World Colonial]

The Mexican Republic was formed in either 1823 or 1824. The "Cap & Ray" obverse with eagle reverse started in 1824.

 

By pillar obverse I assume you mean the "columnario" or pillar dollar. In actuality, the pillar side is the REVERSE though most do not consider it to be so. This is according to Frank Gilboy's reference book "The Milled Columnarios of Central & South America". And though I do not have any other source, I believe this is consistent with other specialist "experts", such as Cayon in Spain. The crown side is the obverse on all royal coinage.

 

The pillar coinage was issued from 1732-1772. This was followed by the "portriat" or "bustos" issues until about 1814 I believe as I do not have a manual with me. But if not, it would have lasted until Mexican independence in 1821 or 1822 and would have been issued contemporaneously with the Mexican Revolutionary coinage.

 

After independence, the Iturbide coinage replaced the portrait and revolutionary coinage for a couple of years. I do not collect any of these latter coins which is why I do not remember the specifics.

 

As for your second question, you can try Mexican Coin Magic. Its the only online source for Mexican coins known to me and excellent. And the collector who maintains the site should be able to get you an answer if it is not in one of their articles.

 

The third question you can confirm though any edition of the Krause manual. And if you really want to learn this series, aside from Mexican Coin Magic, you can also read "Resplendores". I believe it is written or co-authored by Mike Dunnigan, a Mexican coin dealer specialist in Texas. I have seen it available a few times for $125 but I believe it is only available in Spanish.

[Abuelo's Collection]

Late but here I go. During the war for independence there are coins with an eagle already. However, it was until 1822 when Iturbide coinage was minted that the Eagle came to be a fixture. These eagles however did not have a snake. It was not until 1823 that the first Hooknecks with the Cap and Rays were minted in Mexico City. The answers to all your questions are in the following books:

 

1) Numismatic History of Mexico (Pradeau)

2) Resplandores (Dunigan) as mentiones by World Colonial, available in English

3) Hookneck (Hubbard & O'Harrow)