Definition

• A term applied to the early Mexican and South American money, both in gold and silver, from the method of striking the coins with a hammer. They are known in Mexico by the name of Maquina de papalote y cruz, i.e., wind- mill and cross money, the cross being of an unusual form, and not unlike the fan of a windmill. In the Numismatic Manual of Eckfeldt and Dubois, we are informed that: " these were of the lawful standards, or nearly so, but scarcely deserved the name of coin, being rather lumps of bul- lion flattened and impressed by a hammer; the edge presenting every variety of form except that of a circle, and affording ample scope for the practice of clipping. Not- withstanding, they are generally found, even to this day, within a few grains of lawful weight. Some are dated as late as 1770. They are distinguished by a large cross, of which the four arms are equal in length, and loaded at the ends; the date generally omits the thousandth place, so that 736 is to be read 1736. The letters PLVSVLTRA are crowded in, without atten- tion to order. "

Source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

Relationships