Mexico Guadalajara, Jalisco 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 Real 1828 to 1862

Collecting old coins from Mexico is a numismatist's (coin collector's) dream or nightmare, depending on your point of view. The subject is very complex as coins were minted by various authorities, including the early Spanish colonizers, royalists and insurgents during the Mexican Revolution, and city, state, and federal governments after the Revolution.

The beautiful design on this coin shows Lady Liberty seated on one side, holding a pole, on the end of it a liberty cap. The other side shows a flag along with a bow and a quiver of arrows.

Mel's coin is from the city of Guadalajara in the state of Jalisco. It was minted during the First Republic in copper denominations:

1/16 REAL: Medio Octavo
1/8 REAL: Octavo
1/4 REAL: Quarto

One of two inscriptions appear on the reverse side of these coins:

DEPARTAMENTO DE JALISCO
ESTADO LIBRE DE JALISCO

The coin in our picture is a 1/4 real from 1836. Its orange color betrays an old cleaning (copper coins turn orange when they are harshly cleaned) which lowers value. The pictured specimen sold for $130 US dollars in a 2010 auction. At the bottom of this page is a large picture of a well preserved coin. It sold for $500 in a 2011 auction. It would go for more today.

It is difficult to find these coins in decent condition. Here are some typical catalog values.

1/16 REAL (1860 to 1861)
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $75
well preserved: $200

1/8 REAL (1828 to 1862)
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $50
well preserved: $300
1/8 real dated 1831, 1834, and 1861 are very rare, cataloging near $500 in average circulated condition

1/4 REAL (1828 to 1860)
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $50
well preserved: $400
1/16 real dated 1836 is very rare, cataloging near $800 in average circulated condition

Please refer to our Important Terminology page for more information about evaluating coins like these. If you have a nice specimen, take it to a knowledgeable collector or professional dealer for an in-person appraisal.
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