CVC & Collectables presents this 1864-M Mexico Maximilian 10 Centavos, struck under Emperor Maximilian I at the Mexico City Mint and certified AU58 by PCGS. Issued during the short-lived Second Mexican Empire (1864–1867), this silver coin bears the imperial bust of Maximilian — Austria’s archduke turned Mexican emperor. With sharp detail and light circulation wear, this near-uncirculated example offers a rare and tangible link to one of Mexico’s most dramatic and complex historical periods.
Coin Highlights:
- Issuer: Second Mexican Empire (1864-1867)
- Date: 1864
- Mint: Mexico City (M mintmark)
- Denomination: 10 Centavos
- Composition: Silver (.903 fine, approx. 0.077 oz actual silver weight)
- Weight: 2.7 g
- Diameter: 18 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- Grade: PCGS AU58 — Nearly uncirculated with slight high-point wear and excellent luster.
Obverse:
- Design: A left-facing bust of Emperor Maximilian I, detailed with imperial attire and a distinctive beard.
- Inscription: MAXIMILIANO EMPERADOR
- Translation: “Maximilian Emperor.”
Reverse:
- Design: The Mexican imperial coat of arms, featuring a crowned eagle, standing on a cactus devouring a snake, framed by laurel and oak wreaths.
- Inscription: IMPERIO MEXICANO (Mexican Empire), along with the denomination and mintmark.
Historical Significance:
- The Second Mexican Empire (1864-1867):
- This coin was struck during the French-backed rule of Emperor Maximilian I, who was installed as ruler by Napoleon III of France.
- Maximilian sought to modernize Mexico, but his rule faced strong resistance from Republican forces led by Benito Juárez.
- 1864: The First Year of Maximilian’s Coinage:
- This issue represents the first year of Maximilian’s imperial coinage, making it historically important for collectors.
- His coinage replaced Republican designs and reflected the French influence on Mexico’s monetary system.
- Mexico City Mint (M Mintmark):
- The Mexico City Mint was the largest and most important mint in Maximilian’s empire, producing silver and gold coinage for domestic use and international trade.
