Pattern coinage for fractional reales in New Spain was driven by a persistent practical problem: copper small change was chronically short in the colonies, and the smallest silver denominations were being hoarded or exported faster than they could be struck. This 1768 brass trial represents one attempt to solve that shortage through base-metal substitution at the Mexico City Mint, ultimately rejected before reaching circulation.
Carlos III's administration never authorized a brass coinage for New Spain. The pattern died quietly in committee.
Pattern coinage for fractional reales in New Spain was driven by a persistent practical problem: copper small change was chronically short in the colonies, and the smallest silver denominations were being hoarded or exported faster than they could be struck. This 1768 brass trial represents one attempt to solve that shortage through base-metal substitution at the Mexico City Mint, ultimately rejected before reaching circulation.
Carlos III's administration never authorized a brass coinage for New Spain. The pattern died quietly in committee.