1866-Pi Mexico Maximilian Peso NGC AU Details

The silver pesos of Maximilian I were struck during the brief existence of the Second Mexican Empire (1864–1867). Installed as emperor with French support under Napoleon III, Maximilian attempted to establish a constitutional monarchy in Mexico. Despite modernization efforts and political reforms, his government faced strong resistance from Republican forces led by Benito Juárez. By 1867, French military support was withdrawn, leading to Maximilian’s capture and execution. As a result, coins bearing his portrait were produced for only a short period and remain among the most historically important issues in Mexican numismatics.