MEXICO. Falsa Época. Sub-Standard Purity Contemporary Counterfeit 8 Escudos, 1808-Mo FM. Uncertain Local Mint "Mexico City", Assayer FM. Charles IIII (IV). VERY FINE.26.95 gms. Onza-1512 (same dies), 1501 (dated 1805, same reverse die) & 1521 (armored bust type of Ferdinand VII dated 1810, same reverse die); cf.Cal-Type 8 (for basic type); cf.KM-159 (for basic type). Contemporary counterfeit 8 Escudos struck in imitation of a 1805-Mo TH Mexico 8 Escudos of Charles IIII (IV). The legends are Obverse: "CAROL.IIII.D.G. HISP.ETIND.R. .1805."; Reverse: "IN.UTROQ.FELIX..AUSPICE.DEO .Mo..FM.". The style and execution is fairly good and certainly would have passed in circulation with neatly spaced letters in the legend, though the bust of the king is off for legitimate issues from the Mexico city mint. The piece is boldly struck displaying good definition of the details with the reverse showing signs of scattered die rust throughout. An attractive and well preserved survivor with luster in the protected areas displaying golden-honey tone in the open fields and atop of the devices complemented by rich sunset hues in the peripherals and amongst the devices. The engraving style of the bust is well outside official mint product standards for Mexico City and in fact appears to be an amalgamation of Mexican, or other mint issues and the 1791-PTS PR Bolivia 8 Escudos minus the laurel wreath in the kings hair. The pronounced nose is very reminiscent of the one year type produced at the Potosi mint in 1791, but the rest of the bust is closer to issues from other mints. Also, by linking the reverse die to other examples with different dates shows that skilled engravers were involved and must of had a large production.From the John Kraljevich Collection of Contemporary Circulating Forgeries.
