Picked up today. It weighs 22.5 grams which is too light even considering the hole. However, ring test and magnetic slide show that a significant portion of it is silver, so it must be a debased type. They also used the FM assayer initials, which were only used up until 1801. Genuine 1802 coins have FT assayer initials. Edge is of the correct style, but I can't find any overlaps. Also, check out the misaligned mint mark. Interesting piece. Thoughts?
Looks like 1809, but supposed to be 1802 based on the portrait. Minor details like assayer initials are something counterfeiters often got wrong. But major things like the portrait were typically right. The 1809 pieces had a completely different portrait.
Interesting piece. The major issue I would have with contemporary counterfeit mexican coins would be where are they from? China counterfeited these extensively, up into the 20th century. So unless a firm reference is found, what is it? Contemporary counterfeit, contemporary chinese counterfeit, or a more modern chinese forgery?
It actually is 1809 after all, this particular one is listed in Calbeto's "Compendium of the VIII Reales" as #1897. An expert on these informed me of this on another forum. It was made locally, not in China.
Well, that is what I said would be helpful, an attribution. It makes the piece much more interesting to know it was a local copy.
The first thing that jumped right at me was the spacing of the "GRATIA" letters on the obverse, especially both letter A's. The detail on the reverse also looks squishy or soft.
I will check tonight in our inventory listing if has a GNL Type 1 # ... Superb historical contemporary circulating counterfeit of the period. NICE!!! JPL
