Hello, My son and I were metal detecting in this area where we found the following items. About 23 or so musket balls, 8 military buttons, 1830 5 cent piece and ( the 1803 European piece in question ). The PICs are not that great but for people who are familiar with this kind of coin, it should not be a problem. I could only make out some of the words. Starting on the front...on the right side, along the edge it reads: DEI . GR On the back of coin...I cant make out words. I might be hard to see in pic but there is what looks like a kings crown in the center of coin and its ontop of what looks like a shield. On the inside of the shield, there are 4 small icons/images. Each corner/section of the shield, gets one of the images. My son was the one who found this piece and he is very interested in finding out what it is. Thank you in advance for taking the time to help us out. Jon
If I haven't welcomed you to the forum yet, Welcome. It looks like it could possibly be a Spanish REALES of some type. Not certain of denomination of the coin just cause the coin is so encrusted. That's a nice find for metal detecting and a later dated piece (I think) of that type coin. I have one from the 1880's and have seen many different dates for that type of coin.
It certainly is a Mexican colonial coin: you can clearly see the Mexican mintmark on the reverse: an M with a small o above. This is a 1/2 real with the effigy of Carlos IV (Charles IV), king of Spain 1788-1808. The legend reads: CAROLUS IIII DEI GRATIA HISPAN(iarum) ET IND(iarum) R(ex), mintmark Mo and assayers initials FT. This means (in Latin): Charles IV, by the grace of God, king of Spain and the (West-)Indies. It is not 1, 2, 4 or 8 reales, as on those coins the word REX is spelled in full. your coin is cataloged in Krause as Mexico KM#72, weight 1,69 gram; struck in 0.903 silver.
Hello everyone, To be honest...I didnt think anyone would be able to tell what it reads and I'm so happy that I'm not able to put this coin to rest. KNowing the history makes having the coin, that much more special. I live in Brooklyn, NY any idea on why it would be there??? Thanks again for the help, Jon
Yes, 'Pillar Coinage' was essentially one of the first currencies the USA used along with Dutch Daalders, British Crowns, etc. They were considered legal tender until the mid 1800s. There is a neat article in the front of the RedBook which talks about it. Bone
Spanish pillar dollars and subsidary coinage were officially legal tender in America until the 1850's. Your coin would have been a well-known feature of day-to-day commerce in early 19th Century Brooklyn.
Carolus IIII 1803 Hi, I wonder could anyone help with this coin. It is of bronze/copper. The daten is visible as 1803. It has an 8 opposite a castle turret on the head's side. I have included a detachment of the scan in reverse exposure mode to depict the detail better. Very grateful for any help offered. Olibill.
Your coin is a Spanish 8 maravedi coin, with mint mark aqueduct, so it is minted in Segovia. Your coin is issued in the name of Charles IV, king of Spain 1788-1808. (It is in Krause as Spain KM#428). 34 maravedi made 1 real.
Dear Bart, Many thanks to you for your time in helping me with the coin aforementioned. I am very grateful to you.
