1 Escudo - Carlos IV Numeral IV, Carlos III portrait

This transitional issue was struck in the brief window between Carlos IV's proclamation as king in December 1788 and the formal updating of the Mexico City mint's dies. The portrait retained is that of his father, Carlos III, who had died on December 14, 1788 — meaning coins bearing the old effigy circulated legally under a king whose face did not appear on them. The numeral IV in the legend creates the defining anachronism: Carlos III's portrait paired with his son's regnal number.

KM#119 is consequently among the shortest-lived regular issue types from the colonial Mexican series, superseded once new portrait dies arrived from Spain.