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Some Advice Re: Mexican Republican Coinage

I have been collecting US coins off and on for a long time (25+ years) and have recently started looking into some Mexican coins. The issues that interest me most are the early republican coins (about 1830 - 1860). I have the Dunigan and Parker reference for the 8 reales, but haven't found anything for the gold coins or the smaller silver denominations. Can someone here point me in the direction of additional references or information covering these other series? Also, is the Krause price guide anywhere near accurate?

What dealers should I contact to find Mexican coins from this time period?

I've been told that 2 and 4 real pieces are almost non-existant in high grade - i.e. above XF. Has that been your experience?

How available are the 1/2 Escudo pieces from this time period in Unc or high circ. grades?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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Comments

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 22,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I like Dunigan's book. Unfortunately, I primarily look for the 8R coins because as you pointed out, 2 and 4R coins in nice shape are very tough. I have had no luck with them. I find an nice 8R coins when I least expect it... thats what makes collecting them fun. I have two at PCGS now but both are later than 1860.

    As for prices, consider checking Heritage and even Goldberg's. I find that the higher quality examples can do better than most folks my think

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



  • << <i>I have been collecting US coins off and on for a long time (25+ years) and have recently started looking into some Mexican coins. The issues that interest me most are the early republican coins (about 1830 - 1860). I have the Dunigan and Parker reference for the 8 reales, but haven't found anything for the gold coins or the smaller silver denominations. >>

    This might help some with the gold:

    GOLD COINS OF THE EARLY MEXICAN REPUBLIC 1823-1873 by Richard A. Long.

    I don't know about the sliver, though.

    << <i>Can someone here point me in the direction of additional references or information covering these other series? >>

    Check out this website: Mexican Coin Magic There's lots to read there.

    << <i>Also, is the Krause price guide anywhere near accurate? >>

    I'm not an expert, but what I've gathered in the brief trime I've been involved in this area is that Krause cannot be depended on to be 100% accurate. You can find (for a price) more information about pricing and availability here: The Mexican FoxLair Home Page

    I have not used the service, so I cannot tell you any more about it than what you can read on the website.

    << <i>What dealers should I contact to find Mexican coins from this time period? >>

    There is a page of dealers listed on the Mexican Coin Magic website.

    << <i>I've been told that 2 and 4 real pieces are almost non-existant in high grade - i.e. above XF. Has that been your experience? How available are the 1/2 Escudo pieces from this time period in Unc or high circ. grades? >>

    As a general rule, I believe those to be scarcer than the Krause catalog might lead you to think. As far as republic 5c and 10c silver goes, I rarely have any trouble getting full catalog or better for nice uncirculated pieces. There is a Catch-22 with a lot of Mexican coins, though- unless a collector already knows that the price guides are wrong and is willing to pay a premium for a hard-to-find condition in an otherwise available date, it can be tough to find buyers willing to pay more than a fraction of catalog.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 23,892 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd also recommend Rob Rollo's book on 2 Escudos.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • Thank you, gentlemen. You have been very helpful.
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  • CIVITASCIVITAS Posts: 2,256 ✭✭✭
    I asked my business partner to type something up for you since he's been working with a lot of Mexican coins lately. There's a few 8 reales on our website already and I hope to get another 15-20 up there this week. Anyway, here's what he had to say:



    << <i>Unfortunately I do not believe there is a reliable accurate reference for
    the fractional issues. If there is anything useful, it would be a modern
    price guide printed in Mexico- of which I am not aware. I believe that
    several dealers and advanced collectors have unpublished research that they
    use for their own benefit. You can synthesize your own by studying auction
    records and taking notes at coin shows.

    In my opinion, Krause pricing errs on the side of being too high on lower
    grade silver coins, but too low for many of the scarcer varieties.
    Conversely, most of the gold is priced low in the guide. This is partially
    due to underestimating scarcity of many of the issues, and partially lag in
    keeping up with bullion prices- beside the fact that gold is a very popular
    collecting area right now. In the current marketplace, grade seems a
    paramount concern in all Mexican coins.

    As to the 1/2 Escudos, it would appear that the average grade they are found
    in is a low VF. That said, it is possible to find UNC coins for reasonable
    prices, and EF-AU are not terribly tricky by type (although particular dates
    may not exist above a Fine-VF).

    As far as I know, the top three specialist dealers for Mexican are Mike
    Dunnigan, Ponterio, and Mexican Coin Co. Although I cannot quantify which is
    the best, I feel that they have some of the finest offerings and usually
    offer good value. We also recommend Louis Hudson, Frank Sedwick, and Paul
    Bromball. Occasionally a firm directly from Mexico will set up at the larger
    shows, and that is usually worth a look. >>

    image
    https://www.civitasgalleries.com

    New coins listed monthly!

    Josh Moran

    CIVITAS Galleries, Ltd.
  • TwoKopeikiTwoKopeiki Posts: 9,528 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>and I hope to get another 15-20 up there this week... >>



    I'll be watching image
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