1794 4 reale

[malenkai]

Hit a huge field today, only the second time at this site. There are the visible ruins of a very old house, which I hit the first time I was here last fall, but came up empty.

Today I hit the area around another house that shows up on the 1930s era aerial photo, but there is no trace of it now. Just 10 minutes into the hunt hit an 11-46 on the E-Trac, which is usually a clad quarter, and was quite surprised and elated when this popped out. My first ever 4 reale, and only keeper of the hunt.

A bit weird to have a hole in one side but not the other. Looking at the hole, it looks like a small image of the king in it. I don’t know enough about these things to know if that was intentional at the mint, or post circulation, or I’m just seeing things. If anyone knows about that, please let me know.

I now have the half reale, 1 reale, 2 reale, and 4 reale. Just need the big one. Good luck with that.

HH and thanks for looking.

 

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[ARC]

Thats not a hole... its a "Countermark"... "Punch".

Super great find... well done.

 

[ARC]

 

[toasted]

Quick goggle search indicates Bank of England countermark

 

[Diggin Dude]

OMG ! What a super find with counter stamp!! Very well found and congrats!

 

[ironhorse]

not many 4 reales posted let alone a counterstamped one..even rarer find!
nicely done

 

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!

 

[K1DDO1979]

Wow thats a tough one to find. I managed a big 8 but I think the 4 would be a harder find. Great job! [emoji16][emoji106]

 

[dansalata]

super find ,congrats

 

[tnt-hunter]

That is a really nice find. 4 reales don’t come up that often, but one with a Bank of England counter stamp is a truly rare detector find. I have put in my banner vote. Congratulations, stay safe and keep swingin.

 

[billb]

Well done indeed and thanks for sharing with us

 

[Truth]

Never seen much 4 Reales wow what a beauty. All I need is a 2 and 4. Congratulations

 

[ARC]

not many 4 reales posted let alone a counterstamped one..even rarer find!
nicely done

Agreed.

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

wow, big time gratz and thanks for posting

 

[malenkai]

Thanks folks. Re the counterstamp, does anyone actually know the purpose of it in this case or in general?

I did some reading up on it, and none of it really made sense as to its actual purpose. In this case, is it just
proof that the Bank of England certifies its weight and fineness?

 

[ARC]

Err I just realized I posted the wrong picture above...

Here is yours... errr or a "4" anyway... Madrid Mint BTW.

 

[ARC]

Thanks folks. Re the counterstamp, does anyone actually know the purpose of it in this case or in general?

I did some reading up on it, and none of it really made sense as to its actual purpose. In this case, is it just
proof that the Bank of England certifies its weight and fineness?

Your mark is the octagonal bust of George III from the maundy Penny die punch.

WIKI...

"Countermarking can be done for a variety of reasons. If the currency is reformed, existing coins may be rendered void. In this situation, coins already in circulation could be marked with the new value (according to the new currency system). The life span of existing coins could thus be extended, which might under some circumstances be a cheaper alternative to recalling the coins, melting them and striking replacements. Similarly, foreign coins could be marked as legal or accepted currency, thus allowing them to circulate in the area where they were countermarked. Countermarking can also be done for political reasons, i.e. a new state or régime demonstrating its authority by countermarking coins issued by the previous state.

Some experts recommend not to use the term countermark and counterstamp as synonyms, but in different contexts. A counterstamp is applied by a die, and by machine to an existing coin, while a countermark is punched onto the coin, mostly by hand, using a punch and a hammer or a primitive hand-operated machine. Often countermarks are applied by private persons, as is the case with chops (often referred to as chopmarks), which were punched by money changers, bankers or shroffs onto foreign coins circulating in China in the 19th century. In contrast the use of counterstamps should be authorized by a local or national Government.

The term punchmark, is mainly used when referring to the earliest Indian silver coins which are coin-like pieces of metal of a standard weight that are bearing various symbols which were applied with punches, resulting in what are known as punchmarked coins. "

 

[Joe-Dirt]

Wow!! That is the first 4 Reale I’ve seen posted here, what an awesome coin!! Congrats

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

OUTSTANDING find !!!

 

[pepperj]

There's nothing like getting a one hit find on a site and it's a beautiful keeper as what you dug up. Congrats on the great looking silver!