Can anyone help identify a coin (dated 1748) it is 16mm in diameter, has the following markings: Obverse: FRD.VI.D.G.HISP.ET IND.R and on the reverse: QUE VNUM*M*1748*M (this letter has a small `o` above it) * VTRA This coin has a square hole punched in the centre, measuring approx. 2mm (the punched material is still attached, and hammered flat on the reverse side) Since beginning to write this, we have found out the coin was minted in Mexico and is a "milled pillar" type coin. I will try to upload some pictures when I get them downloaded from the camera. /ns
Howdy Netsurfer - Welcome to the Forum !! It sound like you are describing a 1/2 reale that is either damaged or has been countermarked. Post the pics and I'll be able to help you more
GDJMSP - Thanks for your prompt reply, here are some pictures.. I can post better quality ones on an external webpage if required.
Nope, those pics are fine. As I thought, it was a 1/2 reale issued under Fredinand VI. It's been heavily damaged though, more than once it appears.
Wow! Someone had some fun with that coin at some point in time. A moment of silence for this little guy.
Yes, we are guessing it has been punched and used as some sort of English currency due to a lack of small currency in that period. (it was found in the UK) Hopefully someone can shed further light on this though, as this explination was just something that we picked up while searching online, and have no concrete evidence that this is in fact the case. /ns
The British used to countermark Spanish silver - but not like that. The coin could still have been used in Great Britain though, it often was. But that coin has been punched through with, I suspect, a old square nail. And based on the damage on both sides of the coin I would guess it had been nailed to a post at one time.
because of the indentations around the hole on the reverse, you mean? Looks like two failed attempts around the obverse to drive the object through the coin. might be a silly question - but why nailed to a post?
I don't think those are failed attempts at holes. I think the marks are possibly from a hammer on one side and the post on the other. It used to be considered good luck to nail a coin like this to a post or doorjamb. I don't know for sure that's what was done, but I do know they used to do it.
Oh... never heard that. That's interesting - one would think it is bad luck for theft... If I was scouting houses, I'm picking the one that can afford to nail coins to their posts and doorjams!
