Cheetah there is more wrong with the coin than that. First of all the Royals were very carefully prepared, every single one. The planchets were nearly perfectly round, so it's definitely not a Royal. Secondly, there is the pits all over the coin which indicate casting. Also the seam that is visible on the one edge pictured. Thirdly, they did still make some cobs with this design in 1731 (the date on the coin in question). However, assayer mark in 1731 is F - not I or L as it is on the coin being asked about. So the coin is definitely a fake. There is no room for doubt.
I think I see your point. The upper left side of the obverse gives this away. I attributed that to pitting from sand. Based on your first point alone, I concur. I spoke too soon, and I stand corrected. :bow: I appreciate you explaining the points. So often I've seen on other coin forum sites, someone makes a blanket statement, but doesn't clarify as to why. Thanks. ... Now would you mind doing me a favor and passing me a spoon, so I can eat my crow?
Why couldn't it be a pirate's coin recasted to satisfy the equal division of plunder? So a fake maybe, but might still be silver.
Yes it might be silver, but I suspect it is not the correct fineness of silver. And pirates would never melt coins down and cast them (you hav any idea how much work that entails?) in order to divide the plunder. They'd just cut the coin in half - presto, done.
