Mexico: Philip III "Royal" 8 Reales 1609 Mo-A AU55 NGC,...

Description

An Artistic Jewel of the Period and the Finest Known of the Date - Plated by Lazaro

Philip III "Royal" 8 Reales 1609 Mo-A AU55 NGC, Mexico City mint, KM-R44.3 (Rare), VQR-Unl., Calbeto-Unl., cf. Cay-4875 (for standard Cob issue), Cal-873 (RRR), Lazaro-35 (RU; this coin). Antonio de Morales as assayer. Already an immensely fascinating series, the "Royal" or redondo 8 Reales of the Spanish Colonial series could hardly be better represented than they are by the present coin. Rendered with perfect clarity on a massive flan, even the dies have been perfectly aligned to coin rotation--a further testament to the great care that was taken in its preparation and striking. What is more, despite Lázaro's statement that on this piece the ETINDIA flow together as a single, unbroken word, each of the four-pointed star stops are wonderfully clear and well-cut--the author's confusion likely stems from the old rubbing which he consulted for inclusion in his book. That this illustration represents the same piece is further verified by a small planchet flaw between the H and I in PHILLIPVS, as well as a small nick on the shield to the left of the 8. To the best of our knowledge, the two pieces illustrated by Lázaro remain the only extant examples of this date, of which this is unquestionable the finest, with Lazaro-36 being holed.

The true nature of the "Royal" coinage is still subject to debate. Although clearly not restricted to be presentation coins to the King himself--many, in fact, found their way into circulation more than two centuries later, as evidenced by the few specimens existing with the Guatemala series of revalidation countermarks applied in the 1840's--these pieces were undoubtedly special items. Many of the coins countermarked in Guatemala show little circulation, pointing to their hoarding during the mentioned 200-year interval following their initial production. What is more, that they were prized items suitable as gifts for special occasions can be deduced from a little known reference by Mexican numismatist Romero de Terreros, quoting the work Diario de sucesos notables: 1665-1703, by Antonio de Robles, where he wrote that on May 16, 1703 a comedy in the honor of the Viceroy and Duke of Albuquerque was given at the Mint (of Mexico), the cost of which was covered by its Treasurer don Francisco de Medina Picazo, who is said to have given to each of the Viceroys and to their daughter one thousand Pesos manufactured in the style of the Segovian ones. This is a clear reference to the round pieces of eight struck in Segovia at that time (perhaps KM227) and thus a contemporary description of the Mexican "Royal" 1703 8 Reales. If coins of this type were worthy as gifts to the Viceroy of New Spain, they are surely worthy of the finest cabinets of our time!

Ex. Heritage Auction #3030 (January 2014, Lot 24649); Archer M. Huntington Collection

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 42mm
Weight: 27.0674g
ASW: 0.8102oz

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

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