Ferdinand VI half reales

by Brad Yonaka

Introduction

The milled columnario half real is one of five denominations of silver coinage produced by the Mexico City mint from 1732 to 1771. It was the smallest silver coin for its time from that mint, the quarter real only being struck for the first time in 1796. The milled half real was preceded by cob coinage (which overlaps to 1733), and followed by portrait-type milled coinage in 1772. The famous and symbolic pillar and globe design makes it highly collectible, at least as a type coin. Despite this, there is little information on mintages and an incomplete accounting of major varieties for the forty year span of issue.

In general, it can be said that production of half reales was for the most part stable, but fluctuated over periods of five or more years. An early pulse of mintage from 1734 to 1740 was followed by less production from 1741-1745. Then a period of increasing mintage from 1746-1758 (with the stark exception of 1756) and gradual decrease to very low mintages in 1766. Thereafter occurred another gradual increase to the end of the series.
The following table was compliled by Brad Yonaka.

The alpha-numeric sequence assigned to each type is per the system created by Gilboy{footnote}Frank F. Gilboy, The Milled Columnarios of Central and South America. Regina, Canada: Prairie Wind Publishing, Inc., 1999.{/footnote}), as this is by far the most comprehensive of all references. Cases where Gilboy) does not report the variety, I have assigned suffixes starting with the letter u, v, etc, and show the number sequence in red. I also show (where applicable) the number assigned by Cayon{footnote} Adolfo Cayon, Clemente Cayon, and Juan Cayon, Las Monedas Espanoles Volumen I – Del tremis al euro. Madrid, Spain: Cayon-Jano S.L., 2005{/footnote}.

Rarity is taken from personal data on abundance of specimens. In most cases it correlates well with Gilboy in a relative sense, given that his database must have been many times larger. Where Brad Yonaka has not observed the variety, rarity is per that of Gilboy.

Gilboy # or (added)	Cayon#	Date	Assayer's Initial	Mint mark	Rarity*	Variety
Philip V died in July 1746 and Ferdinand VI took the throne, but this news did not reach the Mexico City mint until 1747. Thus, all coins from 1746 are in the name of Philip, and coins with both names appear in 1747.
M-05-21	10152	1747	M		N	FRD VI
	Less common date and type. At least one reverse die shared with M-05-20 (the posthumous issue for Philip V).
M-05-21a	10151	1747/6	M		RRR	one year OD, 2 pellets after obverse R
	Extremely rare variety, only one die pair observed. Gilboy, however, notes it as 'rare'.
M-05-22	10158	1748	M		C
	Common date. Numerous fakes observed.
M-05-22a	(10157)	1748/7	M		S	one year OD
			Relatively common overdate, with many different reverse dies. Some sharing of obverse dies with M-05-22. Cayon lists this variety as also being FRD/PHS, but this has not been observed.
(M-05-22u)	-	1748	M		RRR	No pellet to right of date
	Variety unlisted in references. Similar to M-05-19a. Two die pairs observed.
M-05-23	10165	1749	M		C
	Common date. No listed or observed varieties for year.
M-05-24	10170	1750	M		C
	Common date.
M-05-24a	-	1750	M		RR	Knobs on crowns flanking globes
	Gilboy lists this variety as 'rare'. Only one die pair observed.
M-05-25	10177	1751	M		C
	Common date. No listed or observed varieties for year.
M-05-26	10185	1752	M		C
	Common date, 30 die pairs observed. Gilboy lists this date as 'less common'. No listed or observed varieties.
M-05-27	10192	1753	M		C
	The most common date of Ferdinand VI half reales, over 40 die pairs observed. Some dies show repunched 3/3 in date.
M-05-27a	-	1753/1	M		RRRR	two year OD
	Very rare variety. Difficult to distinguish 3/1.
(M-05-27u)	-	1753	M		RRRR	no pellet between VI and D
	Variety not noted in references. One cdie pair observed.
(M-05-27v)	-	1753/2	M		RRRR	one year OD
	Very rare variety. Only one die pair observed.
M-05-28	10199	1754	M		C
	Very common date, over 40 die pairs observed.
M-05-28u	-	1754/3	M		RRRR	one year OD
	Very rare variety. One die pair observed, need better example to confirm.
M-05-29	10208	1755	M		C
	Common date. Two obversed strongly clashed reverse dies. Numerous fakes observed.
(M-05-29u)	-	1755/6	M		R	one year revese OD
			Unusual reverse OD, only occurrence in series. Noted in SCWC but not in Gilboy. Only two die pairs observed. Gilboy may have classified this OD as 1756/5.
M-05-30	10215	1756	M		N
	Scarce date.
M-05-30a	10214	1756/5	M		(R)	one year OD
M-05-31	10223	1757	M		C	both pillar crowns royal
		Common date. To left is example of royal crown, which up to this date was placed ontop both reverse pillars.
M-05-31a	10222	1757/6	M		N	one year OD, both pillar crowns royal
			Very common overdate, ten die pairs observed.
(M-05-31u)	-	1757/47	M		S	decade OD
			Not noted in references. Two reverse dies observed. A case could be made that one of the dies (shown) is merely cracked and rusted, giving the appearance of 5/4.
M-05-32	10224	1757	M		S	left pillar crown imperial
		Gilboy notes this variety as common. Four die pairs observed. To left is example of early-style imperial crown.
M-05-33	10230	1758	M		(R)	both pillar crowns royal
	Gilboy notes this variety as rare. No observed examples.
M-05-34	10232	1758	M		C	left pillar crown imperial
	Common date.
M-05-34a	10231	1758/7	M		S	one year OD
	Scarce variety. One obverse die shared with M-05-34.
M-05-35	10241	1759	M		C
	Common date. No listed or observed varieties. From this year onward, imperial crown (see photo insert at M-05-32) tops left pillar in all examples.

 

Rarity scale used, with the exception of those by Gilboy (shown in paratheses in table)

rarity	Number of coins
RRRR	1
RRR	2-3
RR	4-5
R	6-7
S	8-10
N	11-20
C	20+

 

 

Gold Coinage of Ferdinand VI

by A. F. Pradeau

There were four types of gold coins: The first, which apparently was coined only during 1747, has on the obverse the armored and peruked bust of the king, whose features are not so full as in the second and third types.  These were struck using locally engraved dies, as those that depicted the new king would not arrive from Madrid until late in 1747. The reverse is similar in design and inscription (INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI  (Beginning of Wisdom is Fear of the Lord)) to those of Philip V.

The gold coins of the second type show a smaller, draped portrait of the king with more rotund features than the first type. The inscription around the margin of the obverse side reads: F E R D N D . VI . D . G . HISPAN . E T . IND . R E X . [date]. The reverse presents the same coat of arms as found on the gold coins of Philip V of the eight escudos denomination, but the assayers' initials have been removed from the left of the shield and placed on the margin. The value, in Arabic numerals, appears on the left of the shield between rosettes, one above and one below the figure; on the right of the shield one finds the letter S (Latin for escudos) also between rosettes. The collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece has the Grand Cross suspended below the Fleece. The inscription reads: NOMINA MAGNA SEQUOR (I succeed great names). In the center, below, on either side of the Grand Cross appear the mint mark and the assayers' initials.

The third type presents a similar bust, slightly more ornamented. The initial date of mintage is 1753. On the reverse one finds the same arrangement as described for the third type except that the value does not appear anywhere. The initials * M * M * are found on either side of the Fleece, on the margin.

The fourth type, minted from 1757 to 1759, presents on the obverse the heavily armored bust of the monarch, less rotund, with curlier peruke, and the name appears as FERDIND. The reverse is the same as in the third type, except that the Grand Cross does not appear suspended below the Golden Fleece.

The four, two and one escudos bear the same variations as explained when dealing with similar coins of Philip V, that is, the coat of arms is simplified and is not surrounded by the collar of the Golden Fleece. In some of the two, and in all the one escudo coins, only the head and neck, with a draped base, appear, Some of the one-escudo coins do not have the value shown on either side. The edge milling varies, being either transverse, wreath or twisted cord-like.

One escudo

This was an imaginary bust design struck before the Madrid Mint delivered definitive standard portrait punches of the new monarch. The reverse is similar in design and inscription (INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI  (Beginning of Wisdom is Fear of the Lord)) to those of Philip V.

KM-114 1E 1747 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers auction, 16 January 2021, lot 22202)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1747	MF

 

KM-115.1 1E 1748 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers auction, 19 January 2021, lot 24156)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1748	MF
1749	MF
1750	MF
1751	MF

 

The third type presents a similar bust, slightly more ornamented.

KM-115.2 1E 1756 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction, 26 August 2025, lot 41307)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1752	MF
1753	MF
1754	MF
1755	MM
1756	MM

 

The fourth type, minted from 1757 to 1759, presents on the obverse the heavily armored bust of the monarch, less rotund, with curlier peruke, and the name appears as FERDIND. 

KM-A116 1E 1757 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction, 16 January 2021, lot 22212)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1757	MM
1758	MM
1759	MM

 

Two escudos

KM-125 2E 1747 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers auction, 28 February 2024, lot 73013)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1747	MF

KM-126.1 2E 1751 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers auction, 24 February 2026, lot 76383)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1748	MF
1749/8	MF	illustrated below
1750	MF
1751	MF

 

KM-126.1 2E 1749/8 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers auction, 16 January 2021, lot 22205)

The third type presents a similar bust, slightly more ornamented.

KM-126.2 2E 1755 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2291)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1752	MF
1753	MF
1754	MF
1755	MF
1755	MM
1756	MF
1756	MM

 

The fourth type, minted from 1757 to 1759, presents on the obverse the heavily armored bust of the monarch, less rotund, with curlier peruke, and the name appears as FERDIND.

KM-127 2E 1757 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers ANA auction, 16 August 2018, lot 21338)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1757	MM
1758	MM
1759	MM

 

Four escudos

KM-136 4E 1747 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers, NYINC auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2082)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1747	MF

 

KM-137 4E 1748 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers NYINC auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2083)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1748	MF
1749	MF
1750	FM
1751	FM

  

KM-138 4E 1756 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction, 26 August 2022, lot 34157)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1752	MF
1753	MF
1754	MF
1755	MM
1756	MM

 

KM-139 4E 1757 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers NYINC auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2085)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1757	MM
1758	MM
1759	MM

 

Eight escudos

The first, which apparently was coined only during 1747, has on the obverse the armored and peruked bust of the king, whose features are not so full as in the second and third types.  These were struck using locally engraved dies, as those that depicted the new king would not arrive from Madrid until late in 1747. The reverse is similar in design and inscription (INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI  (Beginning of Wisdom is Fear of the Lord)) to those of Philip V.

KM-149 8E 1747 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers, NYINC auction, 15 January 2022, lot 2290)

Unlike most survivors that show incompleteness in Ferdinand's hair, the reverse shield or both, the strike on this piece is even and virtually full, with all intended details being clear for the viewer to observe.

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1747	MF

 

The gold coins of the second type show a smaller, draped portrait of the king with more rotund features than the first type. The inscription around the margin of the obverse side reads: F E R D N D . VI . D . G . HISPAN . E T . IND . R E X . [date]. The reverse presents the same coat of arms as found on the gold coins of Philip V of the eight escudos denomination, but the assayers' initials have been removed from the left of the shield and placed on the margin. The value, in Arabic numerals, appears on the left of the shield between rosettes, one above and one below the figure; on the right of the shield one finds the letter S (Latin for escudos) also between rosettes. The collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece has the Grand Cross suspended below the Fleece. The inscription reads: NOMINA MAGNA SEQUOR (I succeed great names). In the center, below, on either side of the Grand Cross appear the mint mark and the assayers' initials.

KM-150 8E 1748 Mo MF (Stack’s Bowers NYINC Auction 13 January 2024,lot 53123)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1748	MF
1749	MF
1750	MF
1751	MF

 

The third type presents a similar bust, slightly more ornamented. The initial date of mintage is 1753. On the reverse one finds the same arrangement as described for the third type except that the value does not appear anywhere. The initials * M * M * are found on either side of the Fleece, on the margin.

KM-151 8E 1752 Mo MF (Heritage sale 3037,January 2015, lot 30311)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1752	MF
1753	MF
1754	MF
1755	MM
1756	MM

 

The fourth type, minted from 1757 to 1759, presents on the obverse the heavily armored bust of the monarch, less rotund, with curlier peruke, and the name appears as FERDIND. The reverse is the same as in the third type, except that the Grand Cross does not appear suspended below the Golden Fleece.

KM-152 8E 1757 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction, 16 January 2021, lot 22209)

Date	Asssayer	Comment
1757	MM
1758	MM
1759	MM	illustrated below

 

 
KM-152 8E 1759 Mo MM (Stack’s Bowers auction ,26 August 2025, lot 41305)

 

 

Mintage for Ferdinand VI

The amounts coined were:

	Gold	Silver	Total
1747	370,842.00	12,083,668.31¾	12,454,510.31¾
1748	327,582.00	11,644,788.25	11,972,370.25
1749	315,756.00	11,898,590.37½	12,214,346.37½
1750	476,294.00	13,228,030.25	13,704,324.25
1751	255,592.00	12,657,275.25	12,912,867.25
1752	267,724.00	13,701,532.87½	13,969,256.87½
1753	452,404.00	11,607,974.12½	12,060,378.12½
1754	309,974.00	11,608,024.00	11,917,998.00
1755	418,696.00	12,606,339.75	13,025,035.75
1756	759,796.00	12,336,732.50	13,096,528.50
1757	555,486.00	12,550,035.37½	13,105,521.37½
1758	173,080.00	12,733,187.25	12,906,267.25
1759	450,322.00	13,031,336.62½	13,481,658.62½
	5,133,548.00	161,687,514.93¾	166,821,062.93¾