Hello, I've recently come into possession of a 1899 20 Pesetas gold coin. Absolutely everything about the coin checks out (weight, size, markings) except for the rear side which has the wrong mint signature on it (M.P-M instead of S.M-V). M.P-M were minting until 1890. Does any one know if I've fallen for a counterfeit, or an error where the back side of the coin was minted with an old press? And what's it worth, in any case?
Not sure but the Spanish Mint did make various "official restrikes" of that 20 ptas coin ... Christian
According to José María Aledón ("La Peseta, Catálogo Básico," p. 101), your coin is a "falsificacion," that is, a counterfeit. His catalog listing for the coin is: 188.FE2 1899*(18-89) MP M Oro MBC 12.000pta EBC 19.000pta At the time this catalog was published in 1997, the peseta/dollar exchange rate was 145/1. Therefore, 12,000 pesetas = $82.75, and 19,000 pesetas = $131.00. Also at the time this catalog was published in 1997, gold was selling for $345/ounce. Therefore the bullion value of a 20-peseta gold coin in 1997 was $345*0.18668 = $64.40. So your counterfeit has a slight numismatic premium, according to Aledón.
