Brand new collector here. I was hoping to get some opinions on whether or not this 1748 8 Reales coin is real or counterfeit. From what I've seen online, there are some counterfeits floating around and I have no idea how to tell. I'm very new to this. Tips and pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
I am leery. I usually concentrate on the globe map, and not a fan of this one at all. Looks cast/very porous. Any chance its sea salvage? Btw, where did you get it sir? There are a lot more than a "few counterfeits" around. Tens of thousands if not millions really. One of the MOST counterfeited coins. I probably own 10 by accident from group lots, (knew they were fake when bought).
I actually got it for trade. It was part of a group lot that I traded a few items for. So there's really no way of telling what the value is to me. I made my money off of the other items, so I'm not really losing anything if it is counterfeit, but was really hoping otherwise.
Weigh it. Should be telling. If I saw this coin I would assume its false unless I could be proven otherwise. If you gave me a weight too light for the issue the issue would be settled for me.
I was hoping that it might be a sea savage piece from the reverse, but the obverse looks to be an obvious cast copy. I don't have any sea salvage pieces, but I do have a counterfeit and a genuine example. This is a cast counterfeit. Note the pits in the sufaces and the raised dots of metal in the fields. This is a genuine piece. Note the smooth surfaces and crisp, sharp devices.
I will do that asap (don't have a scale right now) Would it be a good idea to have maybe a jeweler to test its fineness as well or would that be a bad idea? I really am very new at this. I really appreciate you taking the time for this. Thank you
It's bad idea for a couple of reasons. First, if you have to pay him or her, it's waste of money. I am pretty sure that it's bad. Second, if it were genuine, they would damage it in some way that would lower the value. If you drop acid on it and get dark spot, that's not good. If you take a chunk out of genuine piece, that's much worse.
The pits were one of the reasons I thought it might be counterfeit as well. There was another site that had listed that as a possible sign of a counterfeit. Either that or sea salvage, just like you have said.
If you are new to collecting, then 8 reales is a very tough area for a beginner, so you need to be very careful and learn/research a lot before purchasing one.
I see that now. There is a lot more to it than I thought. Luckily, it really didn't cost me any cash. The other stuff I got with it made up for my trade. I have a long ways before I'm fully ready, but I really thank you guys for helping me along the way.
More than a bit. That is only 2/3rd the intended weight. Its a pot metal counterfeit. You can go to any Asian flea market and find them today, these and US, British, and French trade dollars. Every one I have ever been to has them for sale, (wife is asian).
Thank you everyone for your help. Even though it's counterfeit, at least I didn't lose any money on it. You guys are awesome. Thanks again!
No problem sir. This is why we come here. As long as new members ask honest questions, and will listen to our answers, we love helping out new members. I just hope this hasn't hurt your love of coin collecting.
Not at all. As a matter of fact, it makes me want to continue even more so that I can recognize things like this. This time may not have cost me anything but who knows what would have happened in the future.
These can be tricky since the sea-salvaged ones can sometimes resemble the fakes. Welcome to the forums. Stick around.