I am excited to be a part of this forum and hope that some with more experience can help guide me. I have what I think is a Colonial Spanish Coin of the pillars and wave design. Opinions? Thoughts? Suggestions on authenticating? Thanks for the help
There is no rhyme or reason to the design - just swirls and do-dads. Does the edge have a seam between the two halves?
I thank you for your help. I have an appointment this week with someone to look at it in person who has experience with this type of coin. It was found on my property so I had not thought it a fake. It was buried in a deteriorated metal box with others but perhaps you are right. I know the photography is not very good and it seems quite worn to me (making it hard to read details). If it is a pillars and waves cob it would have been minted before 1773 and would naturally be worn with use especially if it is silver of that era. I suppose testing the metal will tell a lot as well. At this point a physical examination seems to be the next step to know one way or another. I will be happy to let you know his opinion.
Sadly as I took an objective look, comparing it to auction photographs, I think you are probably right about it being a fake. It is too many "squiggles" and not enough defined shapes in a symmetrical order. Oh well at least I did not pay anything for it. There must be a story to how it came to be buried as it was (perhaps someone else was fooled too). I will still keep my appointment with the expert but think perhaps you are right and it will be a waste of time
Always good to get an expert opinion on cobs because even real ones can trick people into thinking they are fake.