Busto Dollar
1778 ・ silver ・ 18th century ・ Mexico City Mint
obverse
reverse
In 1772, the design of the 8 reales was once again significantly revised. The pillars and hemispheres were replaced by a bust of King Charles III, which now occupied the face of the coin. Subsequent 8 reales coins went out into the world bearing the face of the new king with each succession. The design, featuring the king's face, declared that the guarantor of this currency was the king himself. However, what the world eventually came to trust was not the royal authority itself, but the accumulated experience that any coin bearing this face would have a consistent weight and fineness.