Hi I'm Maria I just joined this evening. When I was maybe 7 years old my late grandfather gave me a coin. Now I can't remember the story behind it but that coin is still in my jewellery box all these years on. I'm getting married in June thus year so I thought I'd take a look into it properly. I'll take a few photos of it soon and post to see what you think if you would be kind enough to give me your thoughts on it? Many thanks Maria
Hi Maria and welcome to the forums. Do you actually collect or are you just thinking about getting into the hobby? There are plenty of experienced collectors who will lend a hand if you decide to do so. Where in the UK are you? Bruce
hi Bruce I don't collect nor do I imagine I'll ever get into the hobby. I was just having a sort out and came across this one coin and thought I'd better research it. If its worth anything I'd like to use the money towards my wedding I'm in Liverpool, England Maria
I can't help you with your coin as I collect mainly U.S. but someone will be able to. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Bruce
The motto on the coin (Utraque Unum) probably means it is Spanish, or rather from/for the Spanish colonies in the Americas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columnarios Unfortunately I don't know much about a possible value, but maybe others have better ideas. Christian
It appears to be an old Pillar Dollar at first glance ... a little hard to tell from the pics, but when it's in hand does it look something like this?
Amanda is right, its a pillar dollar, but different type (slightly) 1740 PHILIP V "PILLAR DOLLAR" 8 REALES Mexico MF looks to be sea salvage from the state of the coin, ie. salt damage. possibly worth £30 - £40 in that condition, but difficult to tell from pictures provided.
No way to tell if it's real or fake without an in hand examination by somebody who knows the coins. But in the end it doesn't matter, as a keepsake it is priceless But your coin has been correctly identified Maria, it was minted in Mexico City at the Spanish colonial mint there. And here are some better pics of what it should look like when not covered by the discoloration and light corrosion. Same date, same mint - Now if you want you can take your coin to a jewelry store and ask them to weigh it for you. If the weight comes in within a tenth of a gram or so of 27 grams then there is good chance it is genuine. You already know my thoughts on value, but as for possible monetary value the estimate already given is pretty close in my opinion.
My thoughts are that its genuine. The coin has been devalued so much by the salt corrosion, that it would not make sense to forge one and damage it to the extent that it was only worth very little. Surely you would forge one and leave it as is?? many of these have been found in wrecks, so salt damage makes sense, Just my opinion though. Hope its good.
Hey Bruce Welcome to CT! Unfortunately I am not experienced enough to comment on what your coin is worth but as a fellow Brit I thought I'd comment to say I have a feeling it will be worth something Good luck! sherlock_222 Oh and congrats on the wedding!
