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Description

1818 New Spain Half Real, XF40
The Famous Texas Jola
W-8542, Large Planchet

1818 1/2 RL New Spain (Texas) Jola Half Real, Large Planchet XF40 NGC. W-8542, R.6. The New Spain half real coins are a favorite of ours with our Texas headquarters located just 300 miles from San Antonio. When we described this coin 20 years ago, we noted that Lt. Col. Manuel Prado authorized 8,000 coins to be struck in March 1817. At the time, we observed that no 1817-dated examples were known, but if any did exist, they should have the initials of Manuel Berrera. Soon afterward, 1817-dated pieces appeared, and they indeed carry Berrera's identification.

The 1818-dated jolas, such as the example offered here, are scarce, and most survive from a hoard of about 60 examples discovered along the San Antonio river in 1959. Like this one, nearly all surviving examples have varying degrees of corrosion from burial for more than a century. This is a well-centered coin with even brown patina and moderately corroded surfaces. The only striking deficiency is weakness on the second 8 in the date. The Texas jola is an issue that, if we can borrow a term from the music industry, has crossover potential. It appeals to U.S. colonial coin collectors, collectors of Mexican numismatics, or Spanish colonial issues, as well Texas historians no matter their specialty. A rare opportunity to acquire this important colonial coin. Listed on page 44 of the 2026 Guide Book.
Ex: November Signature (Heritage, 11/2003), lot 5025; Steve Glenn Collection/Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2006), lot 185.

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 660, Greysheet# 316)


View Certification Details from NGC

Auction Info

Bidding Begins Approx.
April
10th Friday
Auction Dates
Apr-May
29th-3rd Wednesday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx. 
92 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 63
Auction Type
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