In 1700, a dynasty open to the ideas of the Enlightenment came to the throne of Spain, initiating a series of changes known as Bourbon reforms, whose modernizing spirit reached all spheres of public life in the Spanish metropolis and its colonies.

In New Spain, the mint - granted until then - passed into the hands of the Crown, as the Royal Mint of Mexico, and was equipped with machines with which, for the first time, it was possible to make perfectly circular pieces and cordon or print on its song an engraving similar to a cordon, putting an end to the practice of the curtail

By design, these coins are known as columnar or worlds and seas; In which you can see the columns of Hercules, between them, two hemispheres that represent the Spanish Empire and above it a crown that protects them under the legend Vtraque Unum ("both are one"). They were conceived for exclusive minting in colonial mints beginning in 1732 and are considered among the most beautiful coins ever minted. They were so successful that they were consolidated as the main export object of New Spain and were legal tender in various parts of the world. In the United States, for example, they called them pillar dollars.

This piece was produced in Spain and different Latin American territories, such as Peru. Learn about the history of its Mint at: https://mucen.bcrp.gob.pe/museo/.

La Columnaria, despite ceasing to be produced around 1771, continues to be an international benchmark in the production and history of coins. For this reason, the Mint of Mexico produces replicas of the historic piece in silver and markets it. Click here to see the products of Casa de Moneda de México.

 

Felipe V 2 reales Mexico 1732 without assayer silver reverse die proof

 

 

 

Sampler matrix of shields, lions and castles.

 

 

Columnar reverse matrix

 

 

 

References

Banco de México (2001). Mexican Coinage. Milan, Italia.  Arturo Chapa y Landucci Editores. 

Casa de Moneda de México. (1989). La Casa de Moneda de México a más de 450 años. México D.F.: Porrua Editores.

Casa de Moneda de México (1989). Primeras Memorias de La Casa de Moneda de México. México D.F.Porrúa Librero-Editor.