CARLOS III

"Rat face" 8 escudos from Mexico. After the use of the exclusive bust (1760-1761), Mexico received the official monetary portrait created by the chief engraver of the Madrid mint, Tomás Francisco Prieto, who would later become the engraver of the royal seals and, eventually, the chief engraver of the Mints of Spain and the Indies. The new reverses were also received, featuring the monarch’s new coat of arms, which incorporated the arms of his maternal heritage (Parma from the Farnese family and Tuscany from the Medici family). This portrait resembles the one used by the king on his Neapolitan coins, showcasing a prominent chin and a long, straight nose, which led the people to nickname it Cara Rata “Rat Face.” It was widely used in the American mints, except for Popayan. In Mexico, this bust was used continuously from 1762 to 1771, and examples of onzas from each of those years are presented here.