Watch List notes:

Mexico City, Mexico, cob 1 real Royal (galano), Philip III, assayer F (pre-dated period), unique, NGC XF 45. S-M12a; KM-unl; Cal-unl. 3.20 grams. While diminutive compared to the 8 reales Royals, this 1 real example is far rarer and shows more clearly the link to the peninsular origin of galanos. Its dainty crispness of evenly struck details in the full crown and shield and cross, not to mention the nearly full legends, is nearly identical in style to the famous "Ingenio de la Tijera" coinage of Spain (see lot 27 for a Madrid 4 escudos), which was supposed to be a revolutionary systemic improvement in quality and output but ended up being relegated to New World mints only, starting with Mexico City, which we now believe used that special machinery to make only the galanos like this one. The bold oMF and denomination I really stand out against the darkly toned fields, a lovely aspect to be sure, despite a trifle of high-point doubling. Prominent in the legends are diamond-shaped stops, which indicate manufacture around 1605, well into Philip III's reign but also more than a decade before dates were incorporated into the design. Needless to say, this is the first example we have ever seen or heard of, and it can be safely considered the finest Mexican 1 real of the period and far nicer than its 2 reales counterpart (holed VF) from the Rudman Collection sold in 2021, being the only other pre-dated minor Royal known to exist. Pedigreed to the Clyde Hubbard Collection.


Estimate: 10000 - 20000 USD