Half Real?

[fyrffytr1]

I do not know anything about foreign coins. Is this a half real? I am almost positive the date is 1809.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[mainer]

Either a half reale or 1 reale depends on the size. Half reale is about the size of a dime. 1 reale a little bigger.

 

[fyrffytr1]

It's almost as big as a dime so I am going with Half Real. Is it Mexican?

 

[BuckleBoy]

It's almost as big as a dime so I am going with Half Real. Is it Mexican?

Yes. The letter "M" with the circle over it is the symbol for the Mexico City Mint. If it is very thin (more thin than a U.S. half dime) and slightly smaller than a modern U.S. dime, it is a half real.


Best Wishes,


Buckles

 

[fyrffytr1]

Thanks for the ID. It is smaller and thinner than a dime. Green check.

 

[Moe (fl)]

Nice coin!

Yes, it is a 1/2 reale of Ferdinand VII minted in Mexico City (M). The 1/2 reale only have an "R". The 1-reale would have a "1R".

The legend on the obverse says: FERDIN VII DEI GRATIA 1809
The reverse says: HISPAN ET IND R M TH
The initials TH are of the assayers.

T= Tomas Butron Miranda
H= Henrique Buenaventura Azorin

HH!
Moe

 

[fyrffytr1]

Moe,
Thanks for that info. Any idea what would the english translation be?

 

[Moe (fl)]

FERDIN VII= Ferdinand VII
DEI GRATIA= By the grace of God
HISPAN ET IND= Hispan[ia] et Ind[ies] = Spain and the Indies
R = 1/2 reale
M= Mexico City mint
TH = initials of assayers

HH!
Moe