(212) The Mexican Coin Answer Man: Volume 1 Issue 2: Last Revision: 03/21/05

Here is a sampling of the questions we got in 2004 when our website was partially up and running last time:

Question 1: Bob K emailed us with two scans of Mexican Republican 8 Reales that were submitted to his firm for inclusion in a Mail Bid Sales that were originally from a source in China.  Our panel of three 8 Reales collectors looked at all three scans and here is our reply to Bob K.

Answer: After studying the scans you sent I personally believe both are either Contemporary Counterfeits or Altered Date coins. But I want to bid on them and I have downloaded your bid form and will call you in the AM and Fax my bid sheet to you.  I ended up purchasing both coins in the auction and we will include them in our next article about Contemporary Counterfeits and Fakes with more details and scans of them.

Question 2: Bob B emailed us two very good photos and questions about an Unlisted Mexico City Republican 8 Reales DAM (Date/Assayer/Mintmark) that he had recently acquired. Our answer to him:

Answer: First, let me thank you for the inquiry, we take each one seriously. I presume you found us from our incomplete website that is currently under construction? Three of the people involved in this project are "8 Reales Freaks", and I have sent the other two your email and photos as we don't live closely to one another. We are still studying the photos and talking to each other about your coin.  You are correct, there is no listing for this DAM (Date/Assayer/Mintmark) in any reference book that I know of today.  But this doesn't mean that just because a coin isn't listed in a major reference book that it doesn't exist.

It is generally very difficult to attribute and verify a coin without it in your hand, but because you sent nice photos it makes it easier to voice an opinion.  My personal first impression after looking at the photos is that it is a "Contemporary Counterfeit" because it doesn't have the correct look (Style) of a Mexico City 8 Reales from this period.  Dave's opinion was that it may be an altered coin. I'm still waiting for our panels third member to voice an opinion.  

There has been a recent rash of coins (several denominations) from Mexico City with assayer's initials from the Guanajuato Mint, either Assayer YE or YF.  At this time we have never seen or held a "good" with either set of initials from Mexico City.

Does this mean that they can't exist? No! I'm just stating that the three of us have never seen one.  As you may or may not know, those little devils from China are making many new "Fakes" of coins, from the US and Mexico, every day and some of them are so good they are Faking Out the Experts too!

Question 3: Rita, from Houston, sent a couple of scans that we thought were Contemporary Counterfeits and we explained why.  Later she replied:

Hi Ralphie! Thank you so very much for the information.  I guess I need to take it to a local coin dealer and make sure it is not counterfeit before trying to sell it on eBay.

As far as how I found you, it was thru Google Search.  I searched for "1832 Mexican Coin" and up you popped!...

Again thanks for the info, have a safe and happy holiday season! Are you asking for a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas? Sorry, couldn't resist as I'm a "Christmas Story" junkiee..:):)

See we meet some really nice people just answering a few questions!

Please direct your questions to MCMAnswers@aol.com and we will try to answer any questions you may have.

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