3 Reales - Carlos I

Among the earliest coins struck in the Americas, this issue dates to the first years of the Mexico City mint, which received its royal license in 1535 — making it the first operating mint in the Western Hemisphere. Production in these initial years was rudimentary, with hand-cut planchets and considerable variation in weight and shape from piece to piece. The 3 reales denomination itself was short-lived almost everywhere in the Spanish colonial system, abandoned for more practical denominations within decades.

MB#13.2 places this within the macuquina (cob) tradition that would define Mexican silver production for the next two centuries.