1813 2 Reales Mexico

This 1813 2 Reales was struck by Mexican insurgents who recycled silver from melted Spanish reales, repurposing the enemy's own currency in their fight for independence.

That practical reuse meant these coins often bore faint traces of older designs, like ghostly echoes on the planchets. The obverse shows a liberty cap and the inscription "Viva Fernando VII" — an ironic nod to the Spanish king they were rebelling against. On the reverse, the denomination and date appear, though strikes varied by the makeshift mints in places like Chilpancingo.

Mintage records for this year are murky; most documents burned in the 1838 fire at the national archive. I've handled a few over the decades, and they're typically well-worn from hard circulation.

Some call it a symbol. It's just a coin.