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8 Reales Type I Countermark
| Issuer | Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Year | 1841-1842 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 38.9 mm |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse features the Phrygian cap of liberty radiating bold alternating long and short rays that fill the field, with the word LIBERTAD inscribed on the cap's band. The circular legend around the periphery reads 8·R·G·A·1840·M·C··10Ds·2Gs, indicating the denomination of 8 Reales, the assayer initials, the mint year 1840, the Mexico City mint mark, and the fineness indicators. A round hole is pierced through the lower portion of the design, consistent with the countermarking and cutting procedure applied by Costa Rican monetary authorities. The entire design is enclosed within a beaded border. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
In 1841–42, Costa Rica lacked the infrastructure to mint its own silver coinage at scale, so the government authorized countermarking foreign eight-reales pieces — primarily Spanish colonial cobs and milled coins from Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia — to validate them as legal tender. The Type I punch, a small crude stamp, was applied by hand, making placement wildly inconsistent; the same host coin can appear with the mark anywhere from center field to the edge.
Host coin origin significantly affects collector interest. Bolivian macuquinas bearing the countermark are considerably scarcer than their Mexican milled counterparts.