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Mexico 1868 UN CENTAVO

My first post here in the forum.
Need help from the experts.
Find in junk coins box (most Mexico copper) 1868 UN CENTAVO.
All catalogs list Mexico start mintage of this coin type in 1869, except Utberg catalog "The coins of Mexico 1536-1962"
Never seen Mexican copper contemporary counterfeits of km#391 a specially with not existing date. Weight is almost correct - 7.5 gram.
All references for 1868 un centavo existing (what I I can find with helps from other forums communities):

Comments

  • pruebaspruebas Posts: 4,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Congratulations on the great junk box find!

    There exist two different varieties of 1868-Mo centavos. All the links you listed as well as your photos show the same variety.

    The definitive book on these is authored by Greg Meyer. He shows the two varieties and thinks one is a pattern and the other is a very scarce regular issue. I’m not sure of his source, but it sounds plausible.

    I recommend you buy the book if you have any interest in this series:
    https://www.lulu.com/shop/greg-meyer/the-republic-centavo-2nd-edition/paperback/product-16r85gzr.html

    Yes, the 1868-Mo centavo is absolutely legitimate. Most catalogs have only one listing, that being in the pattern section (ie. Krause).

    Utberg!!!??? Does anyone still use that as something other than a collectible book? It’s 60+ years out of date at this point.

    As for your example, it looks ok, as they come generally in horrible condition. But in person inspection by an expert would be advised.

    Since it’s a pricey coin, why not send it to PCGS for certification?

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,288 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Welcome… congrats on the find

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • pruebaspruebas Posts: 4,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Here is the other (pattern) variety. Note the mintmark is under the “6” rather than between the first “8” and the “6”. This is supposedly the pattern, while the other is the regular issue.

    Sorry for the poor photo. This is my coin, but the only photo I had was the old NGC photo.

  • Thanks a lot for your help!
    I used to buy a lot of word coins and later it became clear for me, that my collection turn over to accumulation...
    When I retired, I start to sort it out and selling in eBay what I do not want to keep and to have some support for living expenses..
    I'm trying to figure out what I'm selling and this is how I find this coin.
    Mexico coins is not the area of my interest, I had (and still have) a lot of Mexico coins. It became clear for me, that Mexico coinage is so huge, that it almost impossible to have any comprehensive collection with my limited finances.
    I used to by a lot of books for world coinage - most affordable , so old ones. Back in early 90s (when I start to buy coins) it was not a lot of online resources for coin collecting - I'd say none exists. Krause is more about pricing, not about collecting for me.
    Utberg was my first book about Mexican coins I still have it and it was first place I see a reference to 1868 un centavo.
    By the way, I post this coin in Numista forum, NGC forum, and some other online communities, and you are the first who responds with the answer.
    I do not have a paid membership in any grading service.
    Currently I'm thinking what grading company to join - I have some interesting China banknotes and coins I'd like to certify, and not sure what company is better choice .
    The dialer I used to work with retied, and I moved out of area where I used to know any coins collectors, so internet is primary option for me.
    Thanks again - now I'm caution confidence that there is a chance that coin is not contemporary cast, but mint production.

  • pruebaspruebas Posts: 4,582 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If I can find my copy of the centavo book, I will post that page so you can see the info on that coin.

    If you are selling it, you can always bring it to Stacks at a coin show and they can authenticate it and accept it as a consignment for auction. That would be the best place to sell it in the US. As part of the process, they will send it in to be certified for you.

    It might bring more money in Mexico, but the logistics of selling it there might be too much for you.

  • Thanks!
    I'm living in Washington DC area now, I'd monitor shows around DMV.

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