1837–1869 Mexico 8 Reales Cap and Ray F-VF

The First Silver Dollar of the American West

The sodbusters, saloon keepers, cowboys and gunslingers of America’s West developed a culture based on individualism, self-reliance and even violence at the end of a smoking gun. As civilization slowly took hold, money was sure to follow. But with no circulating dollar coin readily available from the U.S. government – the U.S. Mint didn’t strike any silver dollars from 1803 until 1840 – the coin most often plunked down on bars and store counters across the West were these Mexican Cap & Ray 8 Reales coins.

Accepted as official legal tender in the United States until 1857 – and readily accepted in commerce throughout the West well into the 1870s – they were struck in 90.3% fine silver and were about the same size and weight as the Morgan Silver Dollar that would not be struck until 1878. Whether they were jingling in saddle bags, coin purses or cash boxes, the Mexican Cap & Ray was the First Silver Dollar of the American West. We managed to locate a number of these vintage Cap & Ray 8 Reales coins struck at La Casa de Moneda de México (the Mexican Mint) between 1837 and 1869. Each comes in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition and beautifully housed in a custom acrylic display holder with an informative storycard. Date and condition will vary.

• THE FIRST SILVER DOLLAR OF THE AMERICAN WEST – Since the U.S. Mint didn’t strike any silver dollars from 1803 until 1840 – and those struck afterwards prior to the Morgan Silver Dollar in 1878 were used mostly for trade – these Mexican Cap & Ray 8 Reales coins were readily accepted across the American West. The obverse features a Phrygian Cap with rays emanating from behind it. The word “LIBERTAD” is engraved across the base of the cap. The coin’s reverse shows an eagle with a snake in its mouth – Mexico’s coat of arms and a symbolic image of the Aztec legend about the founding of Mexico City.

• STRUCK IN HIGHLY-PURE SILVER – Each Cap & Ray 8 coin was struck at the Mexican Mint in Mexico City from 1837-1869 in 27.07 grams of 90.3% fine silver.

• LEGAL TENDER IN TWO COUNTRIES – These Cap & Ray silver coins were 8 Reales legal tender in Mexico and accepted as official legal tender in the United States until 1857.

• NICE COLLECTOR CONDITION – Your Cap & Ray 8 Reales silver coin will come in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition. Date and condition will vary.