1600s Spanish Copper?

[Patriot Relics]

Hey guys,

Dug this curious copper/bronze coin inches from a Philip IV 4 reale that I recovered earlier this year. Initially it appeared unassuming until light cleaning revealed a raised impression of what looks like a lion. It is fairly crude and I'm still not convinced as to what it is. It is slightly larger than a dime and more of a struck lump than a symmetric coin. My gut is that it may be a maravedis coin. Any help with an ID is greatly appreciated!

 

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[stefen]

Carnival coins have raised images...

Not saying it is one, but its a possibility worth investigating...

Lets hope its not...

 

[jan nielsen]

It doesn't look like a maravedis, are you sure that it is not a button?

 

[Patriot Relics]

Carnival coins have raised images...

Not saying it is one, but its a possibility worth investigating...

Lets hope its not...

The image is stamped rather than raised, and certainly unlike any other button I've recovered. Two of the edges on the front of appear clipped as well. Thanks for taking a shot

 

[nsdq]

kinda looks like a bale seal ?

 

[coinsareawesome]

If it really is a coin, it looks ancient, before the 1600s.

 

[Patriot Relics]

kinda looks like a bale seal ?

It's copper so definitely not a bale seal.

 

[Patriot Relics]

If it really is a coin, it looks ancient, before the 1600s.

Honestly I had considered that, indian occupation goes way back but not sure that is the most likely ID.

 

[coachbedford]

A few things strange about your coin-- if it's hammered (as in pre-1700) and just dime sized, I would say its a 1556-1665 2 maravedis, BUT, those don't have the crouched lion on it-- they have monogram on one side and castle on the other. If I remember correctly. QUESTION: is the coin thick, lumpy and sturdy..... or thin, lightweight, somewhat brittle? If the latter, I have another theory just based on what I THINK I might see (which would be a really really really cool find if it was the case).

 

[Patriot Relics]

Hey Bedford, the item is thick, irregular and heavy. Had all but given up on an ID but was thinking along the same lines

 

[coachbedford]

well if it was thin, maybe brassy...I was going to say it had the visual look of a 1616 Hogge Money Somers Island coin. But those aren't thick and lumpy, at least not that I know of. Unless the small ones were! I assume you cannot see anything on the reverse? Barring a rare Hogge Money coin, I suppose a very corroded Spanish 1600s 4 maravedis could still be a possibility if the outer edges were worn down, thus shrinking the normal diameter.