1887 8 Reales

grouse12 - It is a real Mexican 8 real made at the Mexico City mint using "Standardized Dies". I can not see them, but this coin should have "Dragon's Teeth" on it. That is an anti-counterfeiting device consisting of two very small (under 1 mm) pointed spikes that come out of the bottom side of the cap - one on each side of the short central ray. All branch mints in Mexico adopted the Standardized dies by 1887. Mexico City started earlier in 1867.

It is part of the Second issue of 8Rs produced after Mexico had converted to the decimal system. These dollar coins were used primarily as export (Trade) coins. They were a convenient way of moving silver onto the world market. Many went to the orient as this one apparently did. There is a Chinese chop mark and a couple bank test marks on it. The coins issued after the conversion to the Peso were never legal tender in the US but they remained legal tender in China until 1933. This particular coin would grade F (net) and in my opinion is a $10 to 12 item.

This is part of my favorite series, the one I have studied for almost as long as I have collected coins.

I am not aware of any Modern Counterfeits of this date. There are a few contemporary counterfeit issues (produced before 1933). Of the counterfeits made of 8Rs in the second series the vast majority are transfer die copies made using impact transfer technology. Most forgeries are struck copper with a silver plate or wash. There are a few white metal cast copies but they are not too common. Struck full weight silver counterfeits of this date are unknown to me. Forgeries struck from hand engraved dies were almost non-existant during this time period.

grouse12 - it may not be a bad price in New Zealand. I don't know how often an 8R would turn up over there. My estimate was for the US east coast market. If you like it - it is worth it.

Hi Snooba and swamperbob, I decided to let this coin go and I bought two unc Canadian dollars foor the same amount instead