Republic of Mexico

by Don Bailey ^{from Don Bailey, State and Federal Copper And Brass Coinage Of Mexico (1824 – 1872), Don Bailey Institute for Mexican Numismatic & Historical research, 2008}

After six state mints had issued coppers the mint at Mexico City was authorized to issue the same^{[text needed]}. These all bore the same design from 1829 through 1837. The obverse had a different style of the national eagle with the legend "REPUBLICA MEXICANA" above. The reverse had within a wreath the denomination, the mintmark of "Mo", "A" for año (year), and the date. These issues have edges with small incuse rectangles, or plain edges.

1/16 real

The 1/16 real of 17mm was issued from 1831 through to 1835.

KM-315 copper 1/16r 1832 Mo (Heritage auction, 16 January 2019, lot 37167)

KM-315a brass 1/16 real 1832 Mo A (Stack’s Bowers NYINC auction, 13 January 2023, lot 21233)

In 1832 and 1833 these were issued in both copper and brass. 

⅛ real

KM-332 ⅛r 1829 (Stack’s Bowers Baltimore auction, 28 March 2011, lot 8076)

In 1829 the ⅛ real of 27mm (and the ¼ real of 33mm) were issued. The larger size caused problems at once, so the size was decreased in that year.

KM-333 ⅛r 1834 Mo A (Stack’s Bowers auction, 23 October 2019, lot 72560)

The ⅛ real of 21mm was issued from 1829 through 1835. The 1831 ⅛ real can be found in both brass and copper. It can also be found with or without a "JM" counterstamp, which is a hacienda validation. 

¼ real

KM-357 ¼r 1829 Mo (Stack’s Bowers Baltimore auction, 28 March 2011, lot 8077)

In 1829 the ¼ real of 33mm were issued. The larger size caused problems at once, so the size was decreased in that year. The ¼ real of 27mm, was issued from 1829 through 1837. 

KM-358 ¼r 1836 Mo (Stack’s Bowers NYINC auction, 6 January 2012, lot 2848) 

Counterfeits

counterfeit KM-358 ¼r 1835 Mo

Seated Liberty

KM-334 ⅛r 1842 Mo (Stack’s Bowers auction, 12 August 2016, lot 21180)

In 1841 a "Seated Liberty" style was issued in ⅛ real denomination. This issue of 29 - 30mm, was an attempt to restore some faith in the base metal coinage. The obverse has the Seated Liberty with her arm resting on the book of laws and holding a spear. The legend to the right, "LIBERTAD". The reverse has the denomination, "OCTAVO DE REAL" and the date of issue within a wreath of laurel and oak. The mint mark "Mo" is below. They were struck in 1841, 1842, 1850 and 1861. 1860 dates are known to exist but these are considered to be counterfeits. 

KM-334 ⅛r 1850 Mo (Stack’s Bowers auction, 30 October 2024, lot 73333)

Counterfeit

counterfeit KM-334 ⅛r 1866 Mo (Briggs & Bustos Counterfeit issues auction, 10 August 2025, lot 54)

Struck on copper planchet. 11.69 grams, 30 mm in diameter, coin alignment. Crude overall design, with reeded edge instead of the “REPUBLICA MEXICANA” legend. General wear from circulation, with some marks and scratches. Official minting ceased in 1861, following the transition from the octaval to the decimal system, definitively implemented under Maximilian’s Second Empire. This suggests the counterfeiter was poorly informed

Mintages