1887 8 reales Guanajuato Mint, Mexico.  90.3% silver Already more than 100 years old, many design changes and political upheavals, the 8 reales denomination still maintained the same size and silver content from the original 8 reales (Pillar Dollar) minted since the 1700's. Radiant phrygian cap with the word "LIBERTAD" (FREEDOM) inscribed on it. The phrygian cap, a cloth head-covering worn by the Phrygians, was adopted by freed slaves in Roman times, and thus this cap became a symbol of liberty. The reverse shows an eagle with a serpent in its grasp atop a cactus. According to legend, the Aztecs established their settlement on the site where they saw this. The eagle and the serpent became the state symbol of modern Mexico and can be found on the nation's flag and currency. IAlthough by 1887 Mexico was under the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz and the first "peso" coin had been minted in 1869, this design was minted from 1873 to 1897 and became the last 8 reales denomination coin in Mexico.

Released 7/2/2000