Mexico 1798 11 Bitts over 8 Reales

Dominica – 11 Bitts over 8 Mexican Reales, 1798

Charles IV | British West Indies | NGC VG 8

A coin of great historical interest, resulting from the adaptation of Spanish 8 reales for circulation on the island of Dominica, in the Caribbean, in 1798.

The original coin, minted in Mexico during the reign of Charles IV, was modified by perforating the center and removing the central part, transforming it into a local coin with a value of 11 bitts, equivalent to 8 shillings and 3 British pence.

This practice allowed foreign coins to be adapted to the monetary needs of the British colonies, at a time when coins of different origins frequently circulated in the Caribbean territories.

It is estimated that only about 5,000 examples were modified in this way, making these pieces unique testimonies to colonial monetary history.