New Spain (Texas) Jola Tokens

In 1817 the Spanish governor of Texas, Manuel Pardo, authorized Manuel Barrera to coin 8,000 copper coins known as jolas. These crudely made pieces show the denomination ½ (real), the maker’s initials and the date on the obverse, and a five-pointed star on the reverse. The 1817 coins were withdrawn from circulation the following year and replaced by a similar issue of 8,000 pieces bearing the date 1818 and the initials JAG of the maker, José Antonio de la Garza. Several varieties of each issue are known. All are rare.