Believe it or not, I found this baby in 1977 metal detecing down near South Padre Island while spending the summer with my uncle. I'm afraid I used a little too much elbow grease, baking soda, and lemon juice cleaning it up. My Uncle Johnny found a bunch of old silver and "Ship Iron" on his property thru the years. He donated much of it to a little museum near there. Bone
Nice find Bone !! Now, take a look at the mint mark - it's between the X in REX and 2 on the reverse. What does that look like to you ?
Of course it is - that's not what I was asking. I'm asking you if you think that the mint mark itself looks like something else - meaning another design or emblem that is quite commonly used.
I had read in a few places that the $ evolved from a representation of the pillar and banner on the reverse, but the P over T over S sure does make a striking resemblence as well.
Here is a wonderful link which discuss's this very topic along with lots of other stuff. http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinText/Sp-milled.5.html B
