CVC & Collectables proudly presents the 1875-DO|JH Mexico 8 Reales, struck at the Durango Mint (DO) with the JH assayer initials, is an exceptional example of Mexican silver trade coinage, bearing chopmarks that confirm its use in global commerce. The 8 Reales was one of the most widely accepted international trade currencies, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, where merchants marked coins to verify their authenticity and silver content.
Coin Highlights:
- Issuer: United Mexican States
- Date: 1875
- Mint: Durango (DO mintmark)
- Assayer: JH
- Denomination: 8 Reales
- Composition: Silver (.9027 fine, approx. 0.7859 oz actual silver weight)
- Diameter: 38-40 mm
- Edge: Reeded with an inscribed legend
- Grade: NGC Chopmarked — Circulated with merchant verification marks from Asian or Middle Eastern trade markets.
Obverse:
- Design: The iconic radiant Liberty cap, a symbol of freedom and independence that appears on many Mexican coins.
- Inscription: LIBERTAD 8R. 1875. DO. JH.
- “Liberty, 8 Reales, 1875, Durango Mint, Assayer JH.”
Reverse:
- Design: The Mexican coat of arms, featuring an eagle perched on a cactus while devouring a snake, symbolizing Mexican sovereignty and Aztec heritage.
- Inscription: REPUBLICA MEXICANA
Historical Significance:
The 8 Reales was one of the most important global trade currencies of the 19th century, used in Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
- By 1875, these coins were still being heavily exported to China, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia, where local merchants and bankers chopmarked them to ensure they contained the correct silver purity.
- Durango Mint (DO) was one of Mexico’s leading silver producers, supplying millions of pesos for international trade.
- These chopmarks provide tangible evidence of global trade, showing that this coin likely circulated in the Chinese, Middle Eastern, or Southeast Asian markets before making its way back to collectors.
Collectibility:
This 1875-DO JH 8 Reales with Chopmarks is an exciting and historically significant coin for collectors. Chopmarked 8 Reales coins tell a unique story—each mark represents a merchant, banker, or trading house that handled the coin in Asia, the Middle East, or the Americas. With NGC authentication, this coin is a certified relic of 19th-century global trade, making it a standout addition to any serious world coin collection! Find more alike here!
