Certified NGC AU Details with corrosion attributed to saltwater exposure. While designated by NGC as corrosion, these surfaces are consistent with the appearance often associated with recovered maritime pieces and long-term ocean exposure. Struck at the historic Mexico City Mint, this large silver crown represents one of the most important trade coins ever produced and circulated extensively across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Coin Highlights:
- Issuer: Spanish Colonial Mexico
- Date: 1743
- Denomination: 8 Reales
- Grade: NGC AU Details
- Surface Note: Saltwater Damage (listed by NGC as Corrosion)
- Metal: Silver
- Mint: Mexico City (Mo)
- Assayer: MF
- Type: Pillar Dollar / Spanish Colonial Crown
- Obverse: Crowned Spanish coat of arms with denomination “8” and surrounding royal legends.
- Reverse: Crowned Pillars of Hercules over waves with the iconic “PLVS VLTRA” design.
- Historical Use: International trade silver used throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Historical Significance:
The Spanish Colonial Pillar Dollar became one of history’s first globally recognized trade currencies. Mexican silver flowed throughout the world via Spanish trade routes and maritime commerce. Many surviving examples spent decades in circulation and occasionally encountered shipwreck or marine environments, creating pieces with distinctive surface characteristics that tell a unique story of their journey.
Philip V:
- King of Spain from 1700–1724 and 1724–1746
- First Bourbon monarch of Spain
- Implemented major governmental and monetary reforms
- Oversaw an era of large-scale New World silver production and global trade expansion
Collectibility:
Mexico City Pillar Dollars remain among the most desirable Spanish Colonial crown issues due to their iconic design and global historical importance. AU detail examples showing evidence of maritime exposure can attract collectors interested in trade history, shipwreck-era material, and pieces with unique circulation stories.
Step back in time in the world of Spanish Colonial Reales coins from Mexico at CVC & Collectables. These historic and collectible coins bear witness to centuries of history and trade. Explore the intriguing collection of Spanish Colonial Reales (1500-1808) coins of Mexico: Spanish Colonial Reales
