By 1915, Chihuahua's provisional government under the Constitutionalist Army was operating in conditions of near-total monetary collapse. Silver had been hoarded or melted, and the printing presses producing paper currency had long since destroyed public confidence. These lead cast pieces were emergency substitutes — crude, local, and born of desperation rather than any mint authority. Cast rather than struck, they vary noticeably in weight and diameter from piece to piece.
Lead was chosen simply because it was available. No further explanation is needed.
By 1915, Chihuahua's provisional government under the Constitutionalist Army was operating in conditions of near-total monetary collapse. Silver had been hoarded or melted, and the printing presses producing paper currency had long since destroyed public confidence. These lead cast pieces were emergency substitutes — crude, local, and born of desperation rather than any mint authority. Cast rather than struck, they vary noticeably in weight and diameter from piece to piece.
Lead was chosen simply because it was available. No further explanation is needed.