In 2010, Mexico will commemorate the bicentennial
of its Independence movement and the centennial of its Revolution with an
extensive program of events. Mexicans and foreign citizens alike are invited to
participate in these events to learn about and reflect on Mexico’s past.
Arco del Bicentenario - Bicentennial Arch:
A monument to commemorate the bicentennial will be constructed in Mexico City
along the Paseo de la Reforma, the city's main avenue, beside the Torre Mayor. A
contest was held for the design of this monument, and the winner was architect
César Pérez Becerril with his design of two 104 meter high columns made of steel
and covered in quartz. The Bicentennial Arch will be inaugurated on September
15, 2010.
SILVER
COBS OF MEXICO,
1536-1733
The mint at Mexico City was the first to strike
coins for the Spain in the New World. It started in 1536 with some round and
very well-executed issues under Charles-Joanna that are technically not
known as cobs, and then it changed to the more familiar shield-type design
in the late 1500s. This Mexican shield-type design was known around the
world as a reliable coin, a true universal currency, the "piece of eight"
that was referred to in nearly every major commerce area in its time (1600s
and 1700s). In 1732-1734 the shield-type cob was finally phased out and
eventually replaced (after an experimental, machine-struck but hand-cut "klippe"
type) by the even more-famous machine-made "pillar dollars."
Mexico, 2 reales,
Charles-Joanna, "Late Series," oM to left, O to right.Full and bold king's name,
nice full pillars and shield and assayer O, otherwise typical for type, VF
for grade, lightly toned.
e0809016022022
$295
Mexico, 2 reales,
Charles-Joanna, "Late Series," oM to left, L to right. Round and
beautifully toned AVF with full inner details and most of legends, no
doubling, great full crown.
Mexico, cob 2 reales,
(16)55, o(MP), bold date, rare.Full and clear 55 of date,
nearly full cross, some crown and shield, crudely worn (VG), desirable as
pedigreed to the Mark Bir collection.
e110904191012
$225
Mexico, cob 2 reales,
Charles II, oMG, interesting wedge shape.Cool shape with clear
mintmark-assayer, some shield and cross, mostly flat, lightly toned AVF with
a couple scratches near edge.
Mexico, cob 1 real,
Philip II, upside-down oM to left, I/O to right, king's name as -PVS I*II,
UNIQUE.This period is plagued with
odd errors, but this one is the strangest we have seen, with the mintmark
punched in upside-down and a strange extra I after the king's name but
before the ornament and proper ordinal II (which appears to be punched over
an old D.G), full cross, small flan, AVF or so.
e080916022034
Reduced!
$225
Mexico, cob 1 real,
Philip II, oM to left, O to right.Nicely detailed VF (full
shield and cross), great for jewelry. (1 left)
e010907456019
$135
REDUCED!
Mexico, cob 1 real,
Philip II or III, oMoD to right, F to left, rare.Nice Fine with full and
clear oMoD to right of full shield, weaker F to left, full but slightly
doubled cross, nicely toned, desirable as pedigreed to the Mark Bir
collection.
e110904191013
$225
Mexico, cob 1 real,
Philip IV, oMP.Interesting squarish shape
with nice, well-centered cross and shield, flat peripheries, VG with toned
fields, spots of green.
e110903025044
$70
Mexico, cob 1 real,
Charles II, oM(?), interesting wedge shape.Sharply pointed shape
(hardly practical for purses!), bold oM, most of cross, some shield, VF with
flat peripheries.
e080916022026
$75
Mexico, cob 1 real,
(17)31, oMF, from the "Meseta Central" hoard.Thick and pointy flan with
choice full cross, high-grade details (XF), bold 31 of date, contrasting
toning on fields.
