Mexican Gold Coins
Mexican Coins - a brief History
Early Spanish South American coins were minted in Spain and the gold coin in use then was the Excelente (later known as the Ducado)
Under the reign of King Charles Ist a coin called the Escudo was minted.
In 1523 a coin called the Tepuzque or peso de oro ciculated and this was just a gold disc
with its weight and a countermark.
 |
 37 gold layered state quarters  US $18.50
|
 1945 Mexico Gold Coin Two Pesos Dos Pesos 900 Fine US $110.00
|
| > |
These are very rare and may only exist in South American Museums
(possibly in the Museo de Archaeologico in Mexico City).
From 1537 to 1686 the Spanish Dollar or Piece of Eight was the main currency in use.
This was of course the famous Pirate coins that everyone knows about (although it was in fact silver and not gold)
These were known also as cobs when they were made in Mexico or Peru as they were fairly crudely made by hacking off the end
of a silver bar and hitting it with a hammer on a die.
The Spanish Crown taxed 20% of all all silver mined and gold production in Spanish South America
These coins were easy to fake and easier still to shave or clip as they were irregular in shape.
In 1622 Gold Cobs were made in Colombia at Santa Fe de Bogotá and these have the portrait of King Phillip on the obverse
Mexico was only authorised to mint it own gold coins in 1675 when Gold Cobs were produced.
These were better made towards the end of the century.
The Mexico City Mint produced its own milled gold coins in 1732.
These had a golden fleece surrounding the Royal Coat of Arms.
Mexico Gold
When milled coins came into being the Spanish Government introduced thinner and slightly less silver content coins.
In the 19th Century gold coins for ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos were introduced.
Gold coins at this time were rarely used in commerce but were miainly used in international trade and for hoarding !
During the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821), both side -Royalist and Insurgents had their own mints and produced their own coins.
The government of Agustín de Iturbide (The Empire of Iturbide) issued coins between 1821 and 1823.
These included Gold 4 and 8 Escudos.These bore a portrait of the Emperor with a Golden Eagle on the revers.That was the traditional Aztec Symbol.but was later changed.
In 1824 the Repulci issued gold coins with a value of ½, 1, 2, 4 and 8 escudos.
