How can I tell authenticity of Spanish 8 Reales?

Here's a real nice early Spanish 8 reales listed on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260818487601&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Is there some site or book that helps me determine the authenticity of Spanish 8 reales? This piece looks real, but I'm not an expert and even though the seller seems honest, I don't think he's an expert either.

I've heard that the edge pattern helps determine this. Anybody else collect these? Any input would be appreciated.

Steve

 

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And, another fly in the ointment. The high bidder on this coin is a brand new member who's only bid on one item..... This coin!

Kinda strange. I don't like to see this because I suspect someone for the seller bidding it up. But The seller seems like an honest broker.

 

If real, its an extremely nice coin. I would not be too anxious at the price, though, on Ebay. Its a touch better than my best one, but for that price I would pass personally.

There have been lots of these faked, so I say at that price you would be better off buying from a dealer with a guarantee.

 

Judging by that bidder, if it was known when he/she joined, I might call 'shill'. Only 3 bids, same item...smell's fishy to me. If the bidder just joined, I'd definitely call 'shenanigans'. Seller might have thought it wasn't being bid up enough. I hate sellers that get that way (lots of shilling going on.....neyronix on ebay, who has great FB is infamous for shills). Either start it at what you'd be happy with, or don't list at all. I hope that 'bidder' doesn't bump you too high. Should that 'bidder' win it, I'd check the profile after FB is left...unless there is none, and it gets listed again....THEN we'll REALLY know. Good luck!!!

 

Thanks for your opinions. You know, I think I'll deal with a real dealer on this one. I'd like to get a nice coin like this from this period, but I'd be willing to pay more if I got it from a reputable dealer.

I'm outbid on it and I think I'll just let it go. But I'm interested in where this settles out on the final price.

 

If authentic, it is worth that price. Mine are just a hair less quality, but got them for less than half that a couple years ago.

 

Can you share one example of a design element being wrong for this date? Thanks.

 

Basically this coin doesn't "look right" to me.The crown over the globes on a 1733 MoMF has a double arc. The coin pictured has a single arc. The florets on the reverse (date side) look wrong. 1733 is as pointed out above a very tough date to fill with a non salvaged coin. 4 distinct major varieties, all rare, and several sub varieties. Be very leery of this coin on ebay, lots of fakes and some of them are very deceptive. I would never advise buying a pillar dollar, especially a 1732 or 1733 dated coin without holding the coin in hand and checking all three sides very carefully

 

I would also be very careful. The first raw coin I bought on Ebay was a nice looking Peace Dollar, 1924 S. Submitted it to PCGS and it came back in a body bag (someone "worked" on the back). The second coin I bought was cleaned. If I buy a coin based on a photo, I want it graded by a TPG (and, even then, I have often been disappointed). Nothing like seeing a coin in person from a reputable dealer.

 

Thanks everyone.

I like history, so I looked around some more and found a dealer specializing in these coins and he was selling some shipwreck coins from the Rooswijk. The price was lower and even though it's a salvage coin, it looked good and it comes with a certificate of authenticity from the people who retrieved it. So I got that. I can post a photo when I get it.

I just wanted something real with history behind it.

 

I also love history and that is why I collect 8 Reales. They were the coin of the world for a hundred years. I'm looking forward to seeing yours when it arrives. Here is one of mine, salvaged from the Coffin's Patch wreck off Florida by a friend of mine. Fresh from the mint condition aside from a 240 year dunk in the ocean.

 

Thanks jfransch for the photo. Mine will be 1737 and has similar surfaces. Great historical coins.

 

Holy Cow Batman! That thing sold for $1,940. A flurry of bidding at the end.

Too much for me.

 

Someone over paid for what is most likely a fake coin. Another ebay buyer living in clueless bliss.

 

I read what you guys wrote back then and I learned a lot, but I still need help to make sure I get a real coin. What dealers on ebay are ok to deal with?

 

They can't be both a shill and honest.

 

Welcome to CoinTalk.

You might get more/better answers to your question by starting a new thread. I can't speak for others, but I usually scroll past threads that I see have been necro-bumped. (Not this one, obviously, but most of them.)