1695 Mexico 2 Reales

I'm not entirely sure about a 1695 2 reales coin specifically attributed to Philip V, as he didn't ascend to the Spanish throne until 1700. What I do know is that the Mexico City mint was active in the late 17th century, producing silver 2 reales pieces under Charles II, often from recycled bullion that included earlier Spanish coins. These were practical currency for trade in the colonies, featuring the typical Pillars of Hercules design on the reverse and a crowned shield on the obverse. Records from that era are spotty; many details, like exact mintage figures, were likely destroyed in various colonial upheavals, including fires and wars. If such a coin exists with Philip V's name, it might be a rare error or a later restrike, though I've never handled one myself in thirty years. Still, the standard 1695 issues remain interesting for their crude strikes and the silver's purity, which reflected the era's mining techniques in places like Zacatecas. All in all, it's a reminder that colonial minting was more about function than finesse—get the metal in circulation and move on.