31. Mexico 8 Reales 1896

Country of Origin: Mexico
Denomination: 8 Reales
Reference: KM 377.10
Population: 9,327,000
Mint: Mexico City
Category: Trade Dollars
Date: 1896
Composition: 0.9027 Silver
Weight: 27.07g
Edge: Milled

          Well, this is something different from what I usually shared here. This is probably the Mexican coins that was used for trade in Malay Peninsular which later known as Malaysia. The only reference for trade dollars that I have is The Encylopaedia of the Coins of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei 1400 - 1967. In that reference, this coins is being included inside section of "Foreign Coins Used In The Malay Peninsular and Borneo". But unfortunately only 8 Reales of 1891 is included in the book. I am not sure whether this 1896 version is included in the same category.

         Below is the text from the reference by S. Singh;

    Mexico achieved independence from Spain in 1821. Gradually the various mints in Mexico stopped the striking of the 8 Reales silver dollars for Spain.

   Around 1825 the 8 Reales of the Republic of Mexico were introduced into the Malay Peninsular. They gradually replaced the earlier Spanish colonial silver dollars (8 Reales). This was followed by the One Peso silver coins of Mexico.

     By Order of Her Majesty the Queen in Council of 21st October 1890, the Mexican silver dollar (8 Reales, Peso) were declared the standard coin of the Colony of the Straits Settlements. The standard weight of the Mexican dollar was fixed at 417.74 grains or 27.070 grammes with a silver content of millesimal fineness of 902.7 fine. To allow for a small margin of wear, the minimum weight of the Mexican dollar was to be not less than 413.563 grains of 26.799 grammes.

      The 8 Reales and Peso silver coins of Mexico depicting an eagle seated on a cactus plant with its wings outstretched were locally known by various names i.e 'Ringgit Garoda', 'Ringgit Gerdun', 'Ringgit Burong' (bird ringgit or dollar)

     The Mexican 8 Reales and One Peso coins depicting a liberty cap superimposed on resplendant rays of the sun on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse were also known as 'Ringgit Janek'. This obverse design looked similar to the shell of a sea urchin (janek) - Echineis - with long black brittle spines which is commonly found on the shores of Malaysia. 'Ringgit Janek' was an alternate name for 'Ringgit Garoda' or 'Ringgit Burong'. In certain places, these coins were also known as 'Ringgit Matahari' (sun ringgit or dollar)

     By the Straits Settlements (Coinage) Order 1903 dated 25th June 1903, the Mexican silver dollars (8 Reales, Peso) were declared non legal tender in the Straits Settlements and demonetised with effect from 31st August 1904.

      As a proof of authenticity, usually trade dollars will be stamped by traders. This stamp marks are more known as chop marks. A trade dollar with chop marks will have lower grading, but for me they are more valuable, since the chop marks are part of the coins' life and they are genuine too.

     In my images below, at first I thought that my coin has only 2 chop marks, but interestingly to me, there is another one right on the cap. Nice spot to chop.

   You know our Ringgit right? Do you know this Ringgit?

chop marks of the coins