✅ SOLVED Big coin possibly

[culverjb]

Dollar size coin found at 1800's town. Can anyone help identify this coin? I can see a figure on the front but can't really tell what? Writing on the edges above the head. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank You

 

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[Indian Steve]

I don't now the coin but it might have been drilled use as a Concho on a saddle

 

[SkaBa]

Concho

 

[Carolina Tom]

WOW, WOW and WOW! It's a Spanish real! Carlos the 4th. I can see the IIII's on the left of the bust. The back has pillars on it!

It might have been made into a concho, however, it was an 8 real first!

Killer, killer, killer... I would be absolutely over the moon, if I had found that.

Conchos often have square holes in them.

 

[culverjb]

Awesome WOW. Now I can sleep better at night I was thinking about it all weekend. Thank you so much. Another great piece to add to the collection

 

[culverjb]

Could they have wore it around there neck

 

[Bramblefind]

It's a great find It may be a contemporary counterfeit. It you clean it up a little and check out the inside of the coin which should be visible at the hole you should be able to see more - i.e. a layer of a silver plate over copper. The reverse really looks like this is how it was made.

The hole may have been made to re-purpose the coin for other uses but it may also have been made to mark the coin as a counterfeit and remove it from circulation.

Contemporary counterfeit 8 Reales are very interesting and important relics of history - even if it is a counterfeit it is still an awesome find.

There is an entire book written about them!

http://www.amazon.com/Counterfeit-P...&qid=1464706712&sr=8-1&keywords=gurney+reales

 

[Carolina Tom]

Awesome WOW. Now I can sleep better at night I was thinking about it all weekend. Thank you so much. Another great piece to add to the collection

I am a silver coin guy... and that's about the best one you can find in the US. Colonial BIG silver! I know it's badly worn, and has a big hole in it, but that is the holy grail of New World silver coins. There was one on the banner last month. I am so jealous! Congrats!

PS: Probably not worn around the neck. Maybe a concho or other decoration, as it would have been shiny silver when in use.

 

[Mackaydon]

The last initial of the assayer, 'M', is also visible near the top of the left pillar (when properly aligned)
Assuming the 8R coin was minted in Mexico City, assayer 'M' was in office from 1790-1801, during the reign of Carlos IV (or IIII)--1788-1808.
Great ID, 'Carolina Tom'.
Don......

 

[culverjb]

Here is a side view of coin just wondering why there is hardly no markings at all

 

[culverjb]

Since this coin was highly counterfeited how can you tell its the real deal? Thanks