MEXICO. 8 Reales, 1866-Ho FM. Hermosillo Mint. PCGS EF-45 Gold Shield.KM-377.9; DP-Ho07. Anstrong EXTREMELY RARE /strongdate and according to Resplandores, a prime candidate for the rarest issue of the Hermosillo mint due to most of the mintage being sent to Asia for trade purposes. Expanding upon this issues general rarity, Resplandores makes another out-of-the-ordinary assertion, that being "probably, only one die was used to produce this coin". Until this point in time, that assertion seemed likely correct, as all examples of this date that we have been able to locate have shared the same die, exhibiting a vertical O in the mintmark and recut first 6 in the date. This example however shows neither of those characteristics, with a horizontal O and a virtually perfect date. A true enigma, this coin shows a number of die cracks that suggest extended usage of the dies, but that leads to several obvious questions -- "why is this die pairing so much rarer and where did all the coins from these dies go?". Adding to it all, this coin is preserved in perfect circulated condition, without mention-worthy fault. The tone is entirely original and attractive, deepening ever-so-slightly along the obverse edges and the reverse. No marks of distinction are seen either. All told, a coin that is certain to bring about great excitement in the series specialist.
