Most of you know that for over 30 years, I have collected, small silver coins about dime size. Of the over 3,000 possible date listings from Queen Victoria to Netherlands Antillies in 1970, which was the last circulating issue in silver, I have over half of the dates, (excluding U.S.)
This month at the local coin show, I added to my collection a new date - MEXICO 1887 CAM
1887 - 10 CENTAVOS - 17MM - .9027 FINE - 2.707 GRAMS - Y-12 - mintage 96,070
MINT: Ca = CHIHUAHUA - ASSAYER: M = Manuel Merino
The Chihuahua mint (pronounced Che-wah-wah) opened in 1831. The first 10 centavos size coins were not struck by the Chihuahua mint until 1868.
Chihuahua is the capital of the State of Chihuahua. It is located 999 miles from Mexico City.The town of Chihuahua is situated 4,600 feet above the level of the sea, derives its name from the two indian (tarahumare) words signifying "place of the worship".
The region roundabout is celebrated for its enormous output of ores. The Cathedral dates from 1717 and one of the old bells in the tower has a hole that was shot through it by the Republican forces who bombarded the town when it was in possession of the French troops of Maximilian in 1866. My coin is dates just 21 years after this incident with Emperor Maximillian.
So, as I have said many time before, ever since I started collecting these little pieces of history "Each one has a little story to tell." Now fast forward to year 2003 and trace how this coin from Mexico traveled to Florida via the great northwest, where the dealer came from. I wonder how many others of the 96,069 escaped the melting pot.
I forgot to mention you pronounced Chihuahua just like the talking dog with the talking gecko of the TV ads
From the Fort Lauderdale Coin Club Newsletter - APRIL 2003
