My mother gave me an old leather box and nailed to the top is a replica of an 1898 Spanish coin. It is gold colored metal about a 4 inch circle. Engraved with the head of Alfonso Xlll. Around the head is PORLAG DE DIOS 1898 ALPHONSO Xlll. I found on the internet a coin that is just like it but is not the size. I do not think this is a coin but I am trying to figure out why would anyone make a large relpica. The back is flat and looks like it might have some markings on the back but I cannot read them. I would appreciate knowing what it is and what it is worth.
You have a replica of a crown-size 25g, 37mm, .900 silver 5 pesetas. To be an exact copy it should have the "V" mintmark for Valencia, the "SG" mintmaster initials for Sixto Giber Polo, and the six-pointed star incused with a small "98" on the obverse, and the legends "REY CONST DE ESPANA [Constitutional King of Spain] 5 PESETAS"? Why make a replica? Among other reasons for a decorative touch on a leather box. Enlarged replica coins are usually not contemporary with the circulation of the originals, but rather decorative items and/or tourist souveniers. Making a gold-colored (brass?) replica of a silver coin is not that unusual, as that makes it look fancier. Value? What someone would pay for it. (That's not a frivolous response.) There are replica collectors, but pricing a particular one can be exceedingly difficult, especially when it is mounted on some other artifact. Collectors of that type of artifact (leather boxes in your case) are often the best potential customers.
Hello Roy, That was a very good reply! Very detailed and helpful. I've seen a few of these copies and have an idea of a usual value or price for such coins. Sometimes the quality of the copy or replica can determine the price or value; but you are right, it really depends upon what a person is willing to pay for such a copy. And, as I think you were saying (in a way), there are larger sized copies of coins. Or copies of larger sized coins. Recently, I have noted that coins of certain Spanish coins of a larger size were selling at from about $5.00 to about $15.00. Another thing that may determine the 'value' or price of a coin copy or replica of this type is the metal that it is made of. If a coin copy or replica is made of good quality silver, it may command a higher price than that of one made of 'white' or pot metal or some other base metal. Best regards, John
