| 1732 was a
signal year not only for the Spanish Crown but also for numismatics. It
marked the first year when strict controls were imposed on the design and
fineness of coins issued by the Crown. This was done through the minting
of round coins of 916.66 fineness protected from debasement by a milled
floral edge and required to contain specific information.
The obverse
shows the crowned coat of arms of Spain, the initials of the mint master
responsible to the Crown (F) and the denomination of the coin (8 reales).
It also carries the legend "D.G. HISPAN ET IND REX" (By the Grace of God,
King of Spain and the Indies) and the name of the king in Latin.
The reverse
bears the date (1732), the mint mark (Mo for Mexico) and the legend "UTRAQUE
UNUM (Both Worlds Are One), referring to the Spanish claim of being the
rule of both the Old and the New Worlds, surrounding crown jugate globes
atop land (Europe) and sea (Mediterranean) straddled by pillars ("Pillars
of Hercules" representing the Straits of Gibraltar) decorated with "regal"
crowns and entwined by banners with the royal proclamation "PLUS ULTRA"
(More Beyond). In 1754, the crown atop the left pillar was replaced, upon
insistence of the boastful King Fernando VI, by the "imperial" crown to
further emphasize the nature and extent of the power of Spain. These
coins were struck in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Columbia and Chile and found
their way to every corner of the known world.
The specimen
featured above is CROWN-SIZED (largest regular-sized coin about 33 mm to
42 mm) dated 1732. While this is the first year of issue and definitely
RARE, the 8 R Mexico 1732 F Dos Mundos is by no means the rarest of all
pillars. As an undisputed CLASSIC however, this SIGNATURE COIN of the entire
pillar coinage is nevertheless one of the most popular coins and, specially
in high grade, one of the most sought after by numismatics. Mintage unknown. |
