This coin was found nearly 20 years ago and given to me by my mother (along with some other old coins). I have tried researching it, even on posts here, and haven't found too much about it. I've actually gotten more confused by researching it. :desk: It is from 1790, the obverse has the words "Carolus *IIII* Dei*Gratia and the Reverse: *Hispan*ET IND *REX*M*4R*F*M* The only thing I have found about the reverse is that the M seems to mean that it was minted in Mexico and the 4R for 4 Reale. And to tell you the truth, I am questioning whether it's genuine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Chris
Its difficult to determine authenticity from those photos, but the design is of a 4 reales, Mexico City, as you've already determined. The design elements look OK to me, but the color looks strange. That may be an effect of the lighting conditions. I would suggest removing it from the flip, photographing it again and weighing it, it should be about 13.5g with a fairly narrow weight tolerance, and should possess an edge device of squares and circles.
chridular, Well, the details on the coin appear okay but the appearance (colorwise) of the coin appears to be off! A genuine 1790 4 Reale piece is almost pure Silver but your's has a Coppery look to it on the details with brighter highlights (like Mint luster) in the fields. I would suspect that the coin is fake and was made of another composition than a genuine 4 Reale piece. Better close-up pictures of the coin with it outside of the 2x2 might help! Frank
Thanks for the advice and the opinions! I'll retake some pictures and post them here again in the next few weeks (I currently don't have the coin with me). Thanks again! Chris
Ok. So after a year and a half I am revisiting this thread I started. I have a few more pics of this coin out of the 2x2 as requested. I am still working on a way to weigh it. I hope to have a weight in the next day or two. Any additional comments or opinions would be appreciated... that is, if the photos are good enough to say anything more about the coin. Thanks!
Hi Chris, cheap gram scales can be had for around $10 on the internet. Hey 1790 was a very good year here is another with an "M" mintmark. Note the crown over my coin, this means Madrid mint, yours is Mexico City. Hey if it weighs out a nice 4 realies.
Hi Ripley. Thanks for the advice and info. That is a nice-looking piece you have there! What is it's composition?
Hi, that one is 3.38 grams of gold @ .8785 fine You may like its big brother better @ 6.77 grams at .875 fine.
Sweet! I really don't know much about these particular coins, but I think now is the time to learn. The gold coins that you have posted are just beautiful!
