Piece of a coin. Spanish?

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Topcat7, Mar 30, 2016.

  1. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    I have a piece of a coin and I am hoping that someone will recognize enough of it to help me identify it.
    Because I can make out the letters "SPAN" I am tempted to say that the coin could be Spanish in origin.
    I would be pleased to hear your thoughts, please?
    (I hesitate to call the metal 'silver' because I think I can see some 'rust' spots on it.)

    Magical Snap - 2016.03.30 14.24 - 012.jpg Magical Snap - 2016.03.30 14.26 - 013.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
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  3. Paul M.

    Paul M. Well-Known Member

    Looks like a Spanish coin from the early or mid 1700's. The size should give you an idea the denomination. Here's a picture of an 8 reales.

    [​IMG]
    Notice how it matches up with the area in the lower right of the reverse.

    Based on this image, I think it has to be Felipe V:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
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  4. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    @> Paul. I thank-you for your help.

    By pointing me in the direction that you did I now believe that I have a piece of a 1721 2 Reales coin. (Do you agree?)
    Thanks again.
    1427p_large.jpg 1427_large.jpg
     
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  5. Paul M.

    Paul M. Well-Known Member

    It could be dated anywhere from 1700-1746. Depending on the size, it could be a 1/2, 1, 2, 4, or 8 reales. I'm also suspecting it was buried, which would account for the "rust" spots. If it were buried in acidic soil with copper coins, those would be copper deposits.
     
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  6. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    OK. I hadn't considered that.
    I wasn't aware that the different denominations carried the same images.
    The (actual) diameter of the coin is around 27mm.
    Do the denominations you mentioned rise in diameter with the rise in value? Which one is of a similar diameter?
     
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  7. Numismat

    Numismat World coin enthusiast

    If the fragment is 27mm at the widest dimension, it's most likely from a 4 reales coin.
     
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  8. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    Working on the presumption that the intersection of the cross is the centre of the coin then I measured from that point to the edge and I doubled it. The result is 27 or 28 mm. (The design on this coin matches what can be seen on my fragment.)
    Magical Snap - 2016.03.30 19.42 - 015.jpg
     
  9. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Interesting and cool piece!!! Of course, cutting them up for small change was fairly common.
     
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  10. "pieces of eight" ?
     
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  11. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Yep!!!

    Here's another example------8 Reales or the 'Pillar' type that the $ is purportedly based on...

    DSCF0332.JPG DSCF0333.JPG
     
  12. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Kinda sorta, but not really. That's a bust type, this is a pillar type.

    1756 8 reale obv.jpg 1756 8 reale rev.jpg
     
  13. Hispanicus

    Hispanicus Stand Fast!

    Topcat,
    Cool piece in great condition. The ones that I have seen tend to be cut from colonial strikes as opposed to Spanish coins. At 27mm diameter its got to be from a 2 reales.
     
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  14. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    You're absolutely right!!
     
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  15. rzage

    rzage What Goes Around Comes Around .

    The weight would help .
     
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  16. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    To everyone who contributed, and to those who took an interest I would like to express my thanks. Between us I think that we have solved a mystery that I was unable to solve on my own.
    Well done, and thank you.
    (Watch this space.)
     
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