1915 Chihuahua "Cap & Rays" Cinco Centavos Varieties

In 1914, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, Commanding General of the Constitionalist Army headquartered in the State of Chihuahua, ordered coinage made. Of the various denominations, the 5 centavos was the most common, struck both in nearly pure copper and in brass. The engraver and/or artist responsible for this particular rendition of the "Cap & Rays" motif was evidently named Salazar. I've seen it suggested that the 1915 dated versions are in the minority, but even if that's so, they nevertheless don't seem at all scarce. In any event, it's clear many varieties exist, of which I'm just scratching the surface here.


Coin #1





For this obverse die, the bottomost ray points to the "Z" in Salazar. The Phrygian cap is rather symetrical, and the folds don't cover the whole of its interior. The top of the "A" in the word "LIBERTAD" is blunted.

On the reverse, note the die crack running vertically down the middle of the date.

Weight = 6.84 grams


Coin #2





This would seem to be the same obverse die style as the preceding coin, but I show it on account of the obvious delamination of the flan on the reverse.

Weight = 6.09 grams


Coin #3





Same (or at the very least extremely similar) obverse die, but this specimen has turned a tone of brown that I believe may indicate it was struck on a flan composed of brass.

Weight = 5.83 grams


Coin #4





For this obverse die, the bottomost ray points to the third "A" in Salazar. The cap itself is taller, more boldly outlined, and a bit lopsided with folds that fill up all of the interior area. The word "LIBERTAD" is also taller, with the apex of the "A" coming to a point.

Weight = 6.53 grams


Coin #5





Another likely struck in brass. The cap seems to closely correspond to the style of the preceding coin, but the name "Salazar" is nearly totally obliterated, perhaps deliberately.

Weight = 6.38 grams