Chihuahua 1833 1/4 real

from the San Dimas Collection

This is an example of a copper quarter real from the state of Chihuahua, struck 1833-35. Varieties exist--this one has the "fine wreath" reverse. While the central government of Mexico reserved for itself the right to strike gold and silver, the states were permitted to strike the base metal coinage, a right which they exploited to the utmost. These coins could be minted and issued at a profit, a fact not lost on cash-strapped state governments. As these were to be quickly and cheaply made and forced upon a long-suffering populace, little effort was expended to make them nice; most survivors are poorly struck on badly prepared planchets and heavily worn. Counterfeits abounded and contributed to the abuse. See Buttrey and Hubbard^[1] or Bailey^[2] for more information.

Today, state coppers are avidly collected. They are very challenging to find in nice condition and high grade examples are beginning to realize prices proportionate to their rarity. This type is crude, even by the standards of state coppers, and nice examples are scarce.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper.

Catalog reference: KM 340, DB-150^[2].

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Buttrey, T. V., and Clyde Hubbard, A Guide Book of Mexican Coins, 1822 to date, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 1992.
• ^[2]Bailey, Don, State & Federal Copper and Brass Coinage of Mexico, 1824-1872, Hemet, CA, 2008.

Links to:

• 1833-Mo 1/16 real
• Chihuahua 1833 1/8 real
• Zacatecas 1833 ¼ real
• 1833-M^O copper ¼ real
• 1833-D^O ½ real
• 1833-G^O ½ real
• 1833-M^O ½ real
• 1833-G^O real
• 1833/2-M^O real
• 1833-Z^S real
• 1833-C^A 2 reales
• 1833-Z^S 4 reales
• 1833-D^O 8 reales
• 1833-G^A 8 reales
• 1833-G^O JM 8 reales
• 1833-G^O MJ 8 reales
• 1833-M^O MJ 8 reales
• 1833-M^O ML 8 reales
• 1833-P^I 8 reales
• 1833-Z^S 8 reales
• 1833-D^O ½ escudo
• 1833-M^O ½ escudo
• 1833-D^O escudo
• 1833-M^O escudo
• 1833-G^O 4 escudos
• 1833-D^O 8 escudos
• 1833-G^O 8 escudos
• Sonora 1834 ¼ real
• 1835 1/8 real
• Mexico 1835-Mo 1/4 real
• 1835 ¼ real
• Coins and currency dated 1833
• return to Mexican imperial and republican coinage, 1822-1905