Mexico: Charles & Johanna "Early Series" 3 Reales ND (1536-1538) R-M VF Details (Sea Salvaged) NGC, ...

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The Practically Unseen Latin M's 3 Reales

Charles & Johanna "Early Series" 3 Reales ND (1536-1538) R-M VF Details (Sea Salvaged) NGC, Mexico City mint, KM-Unl, Cal-113, Nesmith-5a. 35mm. 8.68gm. Rincón as assayer. Latin M's, waves below pillars variety. This piece represents one of the rarest and most iconic types in Spanish Colonial numismatics: an unusual denomination created as part of a brief experiment prior to the minting of the more familiar 4 Reales. This specimen is particularly exceptional due to the presence of wave patterns beneath the pillars-characteristic of the "Late Series" introduced in 1542. Although corrosion obscures this area slightly, the unique design of the central panel, showcasing a three-dimensional "ribbon" effect (as classified in Nesmith 5), confirms its identity. Additional corrosion is present on the top-left of the shield side (a Nesmith 5a variant featuring single-dot stops in the legend). This well-struck, richly detailed and toned piece is the single example we have managed to locate of the "Latin M" variety to ever hit the auction blocks.

According to consignor, salvaged from the Golden Fleece shipwreck.

The Golden Fleece shipwreck is a vessel in the northern Caribbean nicknamed for a royal stamping, known as Golden Fleece, that was found on several of the gold 'finger' ingots and coins. A few dozen of these gold and silver ingots were salvaged with varying purities, reminiscent of the famous "tumbaga" bars. Significantly, it is believed that the Golden Fleece ingots are the only known examples made in the colonies between the "tumbaga" era of the 1520s and the ones found on the 1554 Padre Island Fleet. Almost all the recovered coins are Mexican Carlos-Juana silver pieces (all assayers prior to S) apart from some extremely rare Santo Domingo pieces. Notably, three examples of the very first 8 Reales ever struck in the New World were found - the Rincón "Early Series" 8 Reales of 1538.

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 35mm

More information about Mexican Coins. See also: Mexico World Coin Nationality.

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