Tomin (MH569v)

These coins represent a European introduction in New Spain. A half tomin was a very small amount of money. See our Online Nahuatl Dictionary for more information about tomin coins and, as it evolved, money. In one source we cite, a study of a codex from the sixteenth century, a half tomin was the equivalent of 20 cacao beans. Given that the weight of coins (in gold or silver) also determined their value, the term tomin could also refer to weight, some number of "granos" (grains).

The single dot in the center seems to be a reminder that this is just one tomin. Sometimes these smaller circles can run from one, two, three, or up to four. Sometimes the number "4" is written in, in place of four dots. These are variations that will be found in this collection as more examples enter the database.