1821 Provisional 1/4 Real

This 1821 quarter real was struck on copper planchets recycled from melted Spanish coins, a hasty measure as Mexico's new government fumbled through its first year of independence.

That recycling wasn't just thrifty; it reflected the chaos of 1821, with mints short on fresh metal amid revolutionary upheaval. The coin's design is straightforward: a basic eagle on one side, some lettering on the other, all crammed onto a tiny flan that barely measures 15 millimeters across.

We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty, likely lost in later conflicts. What we do know is that these coins circulated briefly in central Mexico before being phased out.

Most turn up in worn condition, which isn't surprising for a coin that saw heavy use in dusty markets.