The "peluconas" owe their name to the large wig with which the motifs appear, following the French style of the time, the effigies of Felipe V, Fernando VI and, occasionally, Carlos III. As an expression of absolutism, the obverse of these coins shows the monarchs' figures, moving the engraving of the shields to the reverse of the piece.
Minted only in gold between 1732 and 1759, these coins are contemporaries of the "columnarias" and predecessors of those known as "bustonas".
Along with the fashion of that time and his French origin, King Felipe V appeared on the eight-real gold coins in profile wearing a large wig, hence people will begin to call these pieces "peluconas", the word in spanish for wigs.
What does that have to do with warning someone that "no te vayan a despelucar"? According to some theories, such a valuable currency was associated with the danger of losing money.
Although it is a theory from the origin of this phrase, it makes us think about the effect of coins in Mexican culture and language.
Felipe V 4 shields Mexico 1732. Assayer F. Oro
Reference
Numismatic Gallery, National Numismatic Museum.
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