Mexico 1866 French Emperor Maxmilian One Peso Monterey Mint, Silver
Amid the bloody Mexican War of Reform in the 1850s, Conservative forces decided that restoration of the monarchy was the path to peace. The Liberal forces of Benito Juarez were of course violently opposed. France was owed millions of Francs by Mexico, so Emperor Napoleon III agreed to assist the Conservatives-also seeing a chance to regain influence in North America. After Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian von Hapsburg (younger brother of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary) agreed to be crowned Emperor of Mexico, Napoleon sent 30,000 soldiers in 1862 to quell the civil war. Two years later, in 1864, the French were successful in seating Maximilian as Emperor of Mexico.
Although he traveled the country extensively, grew to love the people, felt he was becoming "Mexicanized, " and struggled against the Conservative forces of the church and landowners, Maximilian's authority derived from the French military presence. Napoleon's decision in January 1866 to withdraw the troops vastly eroded Maximilian's security.
Juarez and the Liberals regained the offensive, captured Maximilian at Queretaro in June 1867, and executed him by firing squad. Maximilian's wife Carlota, a staunch supporter of the Emperor, was in Europe at the time, seeking new support for their imperial project. From the collapse of their dream, she descended into madness and reclusion, but did not die until 1927. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins: World\Collections, Lots". The seller is "farnscharl" and is located in this country: US.This item can be shipped to United States.
- Circulated/Uncirculated: Circulated
- Denomination: One Peso
- Composition: Silver
- Year: 1866
- Grade: Ungraded
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
- Certification: Uncertified