There’s something remarkable about holding history in your hands. Coins make the past feel real not just something you read about, but something you can see, touch, and connect with. Our May 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction offers an exceptional selection of these historical coins.
Among the highlights is a curated lineup of nine Mexican coins, each struck during a pivotal era, which allows us to take a journey through Mexico’s past, one coin at a time, starting with cobs.
Spanish Rule – The Age of Cobs
Long before modern minting, crude silver chunks fueled global trade. These coins were known as cobs, short for the Spanish phrase Cabo de barra, meaning “end of the bar.” Struck by hammer on hand-cut planchets, they were rugged, irregular, and made for global trade. Lot 76363 is an 8 Reales cob, minted in Mexico City under Philip II. It’s a gritty survivor from the Nueva España era.
The Dawn of Milled Coinage – Pillars and Portraits (1732 – 1821)
Spain moved toward precision, replacing rough cobs with milled coins. The change began with the iconic Pillar dollars, issued under Philip V, Ferdinand VI, and Charles III. Later came the Portrait series, featuring the faces of Charles III, Charles IV, and Ferdinand VII. Charles III stands out as the only monarch to appear on both styles, a numismatic bridge between eras. Lot 76383 is a sharply struck 1777 8 Reales, bearing the portrait of Charles III and the scarce FF assayer mark, making it a prize for collectors.
War of Independence (1810–1821)
As the Portrait series continued to circulate, unrest was building. On September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo rang the church bell in Dolores, sounding a call for freedom that set off a revolution. Royalists and insurgents soon found themselves in open conflict, and Zacatecas, rich in silver, became a key battleground. Both sides fought fiercely to control the region’s wealth and influence. This 1811 coin, lot 76419 was struck in Zacatecas under the name of Ferdinand VII, and circulated in a land where Spanish rule was already beginning to slip away.
The First Mexican Empire (1821 – 1823)
After the War of Independence, Agustín de Iturbide, who was once a royalist general, played a pivotal role in securing Mexico’s freedom from Spain. He became emperor of the newly sovereign nation alghough his reign was short-lived, ending in abdication and exile just a year later in 1823.
This 1822 8 Reales, lot 76428 preserved in Mint State 62, stands as a stunning example. It offers a rare, near-pristine portrait of Mexico’s short-lived empire and is the highlight of our Latin America section.
The First Republic Cap and Rays (1823 – 1864)
With Iturbide gone, Mexico embraced life as a republic. One of its most enduring symbols emerged in the form of the Cap and Rays series. As mints were established across Mexico, each struck its own version of the Cap and Rays, with subtle differences. Lot 76438 is an 1849 8 Reales from Guanajuato that is sharp and in near mint condition.
The Second Empire & French Occupation (1864 – 1867)
In an effort to collect on a foreign debt, France intervened in Mexico and installed Maximilian of Habsburg as emperor. His reign was brief, lasting from 1864 to 1867. When France pulled its troops, Benito Juárez reclaimed control of the country, and Maximilian — abandoned and alone — ultimately met his fate at the hands of a firing squad.
Lot 76472 an 1867 Peso, struck in the final year of his rule, is a standout coin. The 1867 dated examples are notably harder to find, making this a key piece for collectors of the short-lived Second Empire.
The Second Republic & the Rise of Díaz (1867 – 1910)
After Maximilian’s reign, the Second Republic was restored. It was during this period that Porfirio Díaz rose to power, first as a reformer, later as a dictator whose rule would define an era of contrast that was mirrored in the coinage. The 8 Reales Cap and Rays served as a trusted currency in global trade, while the Peso was more commonly used in everyday transactions locally in Mexico.
Highlighted is lot 76447 a Proof Like example 1895 8 Reales Cap and Rays.
The Revolution (1910–1920)
By the early 20th century, unrest was boiling over. Francisco Madero challenged Díaz’s grip on power, sparking the Mexican Revolution. The chaos found its way into the mints. Featured here are two iconic coins from the era: Lot 76486 Hidalgo del Parral Peso and lot 76491 the defiant Muera Huerta Peso.
With just nine coins, we’ve traced hundreds of years of Mexican history. From hammered cobs to revolutionary pesos, the May 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction is your chance to explore these coins firsthand. Whether you’re adding to a collection or just beginning one, these pieces offer a rare opportunity to own a tangible link to Mexico’s rich and complex past.
