Pesoteca · Mexican numismatic catalog Pesoteca

1/4 Real Agustín de Iturbide 1822: Value Guide

Reverse
Obverse

First Empire · Nueva Vizcaya Mint

How much is the coin 1/4 Real Agustín de Iturbide 1822: Value Guide worth?

The market value of the coin 1/4 Real Agustín de Iturbide 1822: Value Guide is not yet documented with enough data to give a firm range. Weigh and measure your piece, compare it against the specifications, and check the forum for a second opinion.

The real price depends on four factors: the grade of preservation (a circulated piece is worth the low end of the range; an uncirculated one, or one still in its official blister pack, the high end), the finish (satin vs mirror/proof), the rarity within the series based on the mintage, and the metal spot price on the day of the deal when the piece is silver or gold. Check the value-by-grade table above and compare with equivalent pieces before buying or selling.

Where to buy or sell this coin?

Browse the national directory of numismatic shops or the community forum to trade directly with other collectors.

Description

If you inherited or found a 1/4 real from 1822 with Agustín de Iturbide on it, here is the honest answer: most examples are worth from a few dollars to a couple hundred dollars, and only sharp, uncirculated pieces climb higher. This is a copper coin, not silver or gold, so there is no bullion floor to fall back on. Value is driven entirely by condition and authenticity.

Below is what the coin is, what it realistically sells for in 2026, and how to check yours before you sell it.

What this coin actually is

The 1/4 real is a small copper fractional coin struck in 1822, during the short-lived Primer Imperio Mexicano (First Mexican Empire) under Agustín de Iturbide. Mexico had just won independence from Spain, and Iturbide crowned himself emperor. The empire collapsed in 1823, which is why coinage tied to it comes from a very narrow window.

1822 is the only year this issue was struck. There are no year varieties to hunt within this type, though die varieties (minor cutting differences, letter position) exist and are only meaningful to specialist graders.

Specifications (verify yours against these)

Spec Value
Metal Copper
Weight 3.54 grams
Diameter 20 mm
Edge Reeded
Year struck 1822 (single year)
Era Primer Imperio Mexicano

If your coin does not weigh close to 3.54 grams or does not measure about 20 mm, that is your first red flag for a fake or a wrong attribution.

What it is worth in 2026

Condition is everything with a copper coin this old. Copper corrodes, spots, and wears fast, so genuine high-grade survivors are scarce and command a real premium. Circulated pieces with heavy wear are common and inexpensive.

Condition Realistic value range (USD)
Heavily worn / corroded A few dollars
Circulated, readable detail 15 to 60 dollars
Lightly circulated, good detail 60 to 150 dollars
Uncirculated / certified high grade Several hundred dollars

These are ranges, not guarantees. A raw (uncertified) coin sells at the low end because buyers price in the risk. The same coin certified by NGC or PCGS in a high grade can jump substantially, because the grade and authenticity are locked in.

Do not expect "worth millions" numbers you may have seen online. This is a modest fractional copper coin. It has genuine collector interest because of the Iturbide connection and the one-year window, but it is not a rarity that breaks auction records.

How to tell if yours is genuine

Fakes and altered coins circulate, so run these checks before you spend a dollar:

  1. Weigh it. It should be very close to 3.54 grams. A cheap kitchen scale that reads to 0.1 gram is enough for a quick check.
  2. Measure it. Diameter should be about 20 mm.
  3. Look at the relief. Genuine strikes have crisp raised detail. Cast fakes look flat, soft, and sometimes have a grainy or bubbly surface. Compare against reference images from a trusted numismatic catalog.
  4. Check the edge. It should be reeded (grooved), not smooth.

For any coin you think might be worth over a couple hundred dollars, professional certification from NGC or PCGS is the definitive safeguard. It confirms authenticity and assigns a grade that buyers trust.

Where to sell it

You have a few realistic options depending on how much the coin is worth:

  • A verified coin dealer. Fastest and safest. A dealer values it on the spot. Use the Pesoteca dealer directory to find one by city.
  • Collector-to-collector. The Pesoteca buy and sell forum connects you directly with collectors, usually at better prices than a quick dealer flip.
  • Coin shows and auctions. Worth it only for certified higher-grade pieces.

Before you sell, photograph the obverse, reverse, and edge in good light, and confirm the grade against a coin grading guide. Avoid dumping it to the first buyer on a general marketplace, and be cautious with online listings where fakes are most common.

A note on "error" coins

Genuine mint errors (off-center strikes, die rotation, double strikes) can multiply value if they are real and verifiable. Most "errors" people spot are actually post-mint damage: dings, corrosion, or scratches, which lower value rather than raise it. If you think yours has a real error, post clear photos in the Pesoteca forum and let the community weigh in before you assume it is a jackpot.

Have a 1/4 real Iturbide sitting in a drawer? Post the weight and a photo of both sides in the forum and we will help you pin down the grade and a fair number.

Historical context

Nueva Vizcaya.

Edge: Reeded.

This piece belongs to the era

Primer Imperio Mexicano

Explore all the Mexican coins of this era, their historical context and how they connect to the monetary system of the period.

Value range of this piece

Value range without enough data for this piece.

See the full breakdown by grade (VG, F, VF, EF, AU, MS-60, MS-63, MS-65) for the whole series →

Other denominations from 1822

Reales Coloniales (1/2 a 4 reales) · Cobre

See the full series →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a 1/4 Real Agustín de Iturbide 1822 worth?

It depends heavily on condition. Heavily worn copper pieces sell for a few dollars, circulated coins with readable detail run 15 to 60 dollars, and lightly circulated examples reach 60 to 150 dollars. Uncirculated or NGC/PCGS certified coins can bring several hundred dollars. For an exact figure on your coin, have it appraised by a verified dealer.

How do I know if my 1/4 Real 1822 is genuine?

It should weigh about 3.54 grams and measure roughly 20 mm with a reeded edge. If yours misses those, be suspicious. Genuine strikes have crisp raised relief, while fakes look flat, soft, or grainy. For anything worth over a couple hundred dollars, NGC or PCGS certification is the definitive authenticity check.

Is the 1/4 Real Iturbide 1822 rare?

It is a one-year issue from the short First Mexican Empire, which gives it genuine collector interest. It is not a record-breaking rarity, though. High-grade uncirculated copper survivors are scarce because copper corrodes and wears easily, so condition is what separates a common coin from a valuable one.

Where can I sell a 1/4 Real Agustín de Iturbide 1822?

The safest routes are a verified dealer from the [Pesoteca directory](/tiendas), who values it on the spot, or the [Pesoteca buy and sell forum](/foro/compra-venta) for collector-to-collector deals at better prices. Photograph the obverse, reverse, and edge first, and confirm the grade before you sell. Avoid selling to the first buyer on a general marketplace.

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Sources

Images for informational and educational purposes, attributed to their original source. Reference values; the real price depends on the grade, the specific variant and demand.