CHILE. Copper 8 Escudos Pattern, 1836-So IJ. Santiago Mint. NGC AU-55 Brown. KM-Pn4; Onza-1634; Fonrobert-9864. Reeded Edge variety. Similar in theme to the design that was adopted in 1839, with a number of minor differences appearing in the legends and motifs on each side. Like many seen, this example displays evidence of some past handling, with clean fields and designs that display a hint of friction at their highest points.An enigmatic issue, once believed </em>by famed 19th century Latin American researcher Jose Medina </em>to have been an issue struck from local dies, and likely because of this, unchallenged within numismatic channels for ages. More recent research by Carlos Jara has proven this long-held assertion incorrection however, with a number of noteworthy differences observed between the dies for this pattern and those created by the Santiago Mint. For one, while perhaps not immediately recognizable, comparison between these dies and other contemporary Chilean issues will reveal differences in the style of the letter and number punches used. More overt however is that the highly recognizable mintmark of the Santiago Mint is not used on this issue, which is a key indicator that its creators did not have access to this highly stylized punch. Digging deeper, Jara has matched the punches on this pattern with those used on a French advertising medal created by Pierre-Antoine Thonnelier. Exposing the context, it now seems clear that the 1836 pattern 8 Escudos were created during the mints attempts to modernize its facilities. After having ordered a new coining press from </em>Thonnelier, archived correspondence details that striking tests were done on the pre-existing screw press as well as a </em>Thonnelier press</em>. While the correspondence specific to those trials does not mention that the items being struck were of this design, correspondence from several years later all but ensures it. Concerning a counterfeit coin that had come into the possession of mint authorities, translated correspondence reads, </em>"(the mint assayer) has established that the counterfeit onza with the dies of the Republic dated 1836...is actually one of those copper coins that are struck in the mint to try the dies before the mintage of coins starts."</em> Its history now known, having played a </em>pivotal role in advancing technology at the mint, this type deserves a newfound level of numismatic respect that it has long been lacking.</em> From the Oro del Nuevo Mundo Collection.
