History That You Can Touch: 1811 Mexican Reales Coin used in the Philippines during the Spanish Period

I wonder if this coin is the oldest one in town.

In my blog about my 1821 Mexican reales coin (read blog here), I referenced to the history of Mexico where the 1821 coin was the last of its kind as Mexico started to mint its own coin in 1822 when it gained independence from Spain.

But this 1811 Mexican reales coin also made me wonder how many families had settled at the mouth of the Malihaw River in what is now called Daan Banwa in Victorias City, where did they come from and what was their way of life.

This coin, called the reales, was used in the Philippines during the Spanish period and was denominated in 8-reales. These were brought to Las Islas Filipinas via the Galleon Trade that started from 1565 to 1815. It stopped in 1815 because Mexico already started to revolt against Spain to gain independence.

But to reference this coin to Philippine history, the first Philippine newspaper, Del Superior Govierno, was established in 1811 with the Spanish Governor General himself as the editor and its intended readers were the Spaniards living in the Philippines, and its content was mostly about news from Spain, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Also in 1811, Señor Ventura de los Reyes of Ilocos travelled to Spain to represent the colony at Cortes de Cadiz, the Spanish parliament where representatives from the colonies in the Americas and the Philippines were asked to join and be represented. This parliament drafted the 1812 Spanish Constitution.

This 1811 Mexican reales coin was minted when the Viceroyalty of New Spain, as Mexico was then called, supervised the administration over the Philippines.

This coin's obverse (front side) features the view from the right side of King Ferdinand VII's face and head with the words "FERDIN VII" for King Ferdinand VII of Spain, and "DEI GRATIA", meaning, 'by the grace of God'. The '1811' the year it was minted, is written below it. King Ferdinand VII reigned twice: in 1808, and 1813 until he died in 1833.

The reverse shows the words "HISPAN ET IND REX", meaning 'Spain and the King of Indies'. It also shows a crown over symbols of crowned lions and castles that are sandwiched by two columns of Hercules that are wrapped by ribbons. The dollar symbol ($) which has two vertical lines wrapped by ribbons is said to have originated from this symbol.

This coin has some silver content and weighs 27 grams. As the Mexican reales coin was widely circulated in Mexico, the Philippines, and other Spanish colonies, this coin must have had changed hands thousands of times since 1811. From Hispanic merchants to Chinese traders and to peninsulares, insulares, indios, and even pirates, this particular coin's history is more interesting than its design and commercial value.

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(PHOTOS of this 1811 Mexican reales coin were taken at Daan Banwa and at the Victoria Public Plaza.)

#oldcoins #oldcoinscollection #mexico #mexicanreales #Spanishcoin #Spain #philippines 

#numismatics #history #historians #philippinehistory

#coincollecting #VictoriasCity #victoriaslgu #negros

Our 50-Year Old Uway Baskets

Back in the 1970s, my father, who worked at the local branch of PNB, was gifted by his client with this uway basket with an attached cover. His client, a man from the northern part of the Negros Island, told him that he made and sold uway baskets. So, my father ordered one.

Uway, the local name for rattan, is a popular material for baskets because they are durable, pliant and versatile. When my father's order came, his officemates at PNB saw it and also ordered baskets from the maker, and because the man got more orders because of my father, he gifted my father with a bigger uway basket!

For years, my mother would bring the basket to picnics at the nearby beach. She used it to carry plates, cups, utensils, and food.

When I saw these baskets in the storeroom the other day, I took them out, inspected them, and found that they are still usable! After all these decades!

But what fascinated me was the artistry and creativity! Since I hated Geometry and Drafting in high school, I am amazed at how the fibers were woven, twisted, knotted, and tied to give the basket an oblong shape that looked, well, sosyal! I don't know if that maker had a diagram of the basket written down on paper, but, I guess, it was a combination of his skill and artistry that created these baskets!

I am no expert but there must be a thin bamboo strip that serves as a frame but it is still strong and looks durable that it can carry my santol!

These baskets are now at least 50 years old with expected loose uway at the handle. They have outlived appliances and other electronics, and probably me someday.

My hands may touch them as baskets but my eyes see them as works of art.😎

#uway #uwaybasket #rattan #rattanbasket #artistry #artisan #nature #baskets #santol