1842 Zs 8 Reales

Collecting this denomination as it was struck during the First Republic requires a recognition that spotty adherence to specifcations coupled with an inherent crudity in production processes means inconsistency is the only thing you can count on. The 1842 Zs pictured here is a good example of this principle.

First off, it's hard to judge its condition because what initially looks to be wear upon close examination seems to more a case of just a really poor and incomplete strike. Also note the relative simplicity of the devices even where fully struck, accounted for by the fact that during this period each branch mint made its own dies, employing engravers of varying ability. Also curious is the seven pointed star. It sports medal alignment, incidentally.

Then there's the issue of how well its composition conforms to the standards set for this type. This specimen is overweight at 27.8 grams, as well as oversized at almost 40mm, and there's a rather matte aspect to its overall appearance, which doesn't inspire confidence (except in that it hasn't been polished).

Now none of this conclusively proves it's not genuine, and it doesn't seem to match up with any of the several counterfeits cataloged by Riddell. But certainly that forgeries abounded in this era (and in fact Zacatecas is one of those reputed to have let authentic dies slip from their control) means you always have to perform due diligence. So I'll have to get around to determining a specific gravity for this one, and someday I'd like to have it analyzed via x-ray fluorescence.