These things are massive and apparently tough to find as restrikes. Can't afford an original so these will do! Still not cheap. Spanish Phillip III Restrike 50 Reales 1609 (made in 1985). 76mm. 187.5 grams. Massive 6.0 Troy Ounces of .930 Silver. Edge marked: 'MEDAL OM-UO 15/100' (No. 15 specimen). The dies supposedly were prepared as a training exercise in the Madrid Mint in the 19th Century. The dies left the Mint in the 1980's. However, this specimen flan is different as Krause Unusual World Coins catalog's variety. Mintage: 100 units compare to Krause's X# MA1 250 units. Rare. A faithful replication of one of the famously immense (and valuable) silver coins of 50 reales struck in the early 1600s. Spain, AR medal of a Segovia 50 reales (cincuentin) made from art school dies from Seville restrike of 1610. 70mm, 146.5 grams. Engraved F.A.S. (Federacion de Artesanos de Sevilla) MEDALLA PUERTO RICO 115 and PLATA 999 on the edge.
Very nice piece! While in general I am not fond of buying replicas, it is different when I know darn well that an original would be out of reach. Plus, what you show here are certainly not "mass" products ... By the way, a few years ago the Spanish mint started a series of collector coins called "Joyas Numismáticas" (Numismatic Jewels). The second issue (2009) includes a cincuentín that may look familiar. Of course the side with the face value had to be adapted, but I still think they do a nice job with that series. Silver (Ag 925), diameter 73 mm, mintage 6000. Christian
Interesting design. On the topic of replicas and restrikes, I think I'd rather just not have one than have a fake. But that's just me.
Would not call the pieces in the initial post "fake". They are obviously replicas, marked as such, so there is no intention to deceive. And they are very well done as far as I can tell. If I was into those cincuentíns, I might be tempted too ... Christian
Where are they marked as replicas? I don't see it, but I may be missing it. No doubt, the fabric is markedly different and wouldn't fool anyone, but that's my whole point. A replica is not an original. It is obviously not intended to deceive (it isn't a forgery), but it still isn't real. I'd rather not have one at all than have.... whatever you want to call this. But congrats to zohar for getting it, if he likes it.
