Is this a Coin?

[brvan71]

I was digging around in my "treasures" box and came across this item that I found several years ago. I have never been able to properly identify it. It is the size of a silver dollar. One one side is the possible image of an eagle holding a snake. On the other side, the only identifiable markings are the date of 1833 and a possible small 's' to its immediate left. A friend suggested that is an 8 reales piece or at least a counterfeit 8 reales. It does not appear to be silver as it will not shine up at all. Any help will be appreciated. God Bless!

 

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[ClonedSIM]

That "starburst" shape reminds me of something I've seen on Mexican coins.

 

[SFHunter]

Can you post the size of the coin?

the closest thing I can find (based on the curvature of the snake) is the Mexico km377 8 Reales (1825-1897)

 

[brvan71]

I will attempt to do that later. I am fairly sure that it is the size or very close to the size of a Morgan silver dollar. Thanks so much for your insight!

 

[Mackaydon]

SFHunter:
Good ID. I note the letter "S" to the left of the date (sunburst side) on both coins. Looks like an 1832??

 

[hollowpointred]

its hard to see your picture clearly. can you scan the coin instead?

 

[junkdigger]

Looks to me like a Republic of Mexico 8 Reales. The Zs mark is for the Zacatecas mint. Value $15 in fine condition..........uh,I don't think your coin grades fine...sorry! But a really good find anyway!

 

[brvan71]

Sorry I don't have a scanner, and it took me forever to figure out how to compress picture sizes on my imac computer.

 

[SgtSki in MI]

Yes it Is!!!

Yes it is a Mexican 8 Reales. A few years ago one of the guys I was hunting with in St Louis found one in better shape. It was an 1854 if I remember right. These coins had silver in them but it's not 90% like old US Coins, so they do come out kinda greeny and don't clean up as nice, but it's not counterfeit.

HH,
SgtSki

 

[Mackaydon]

Sarge:
I believe you are right in saying that the coin is not 90% silver; actually, I think it is slightly more than 90% silver. Coins of this type are marked 10D 20G. The D stands for 'dineros' and the G stands for 'granos' or grains; and the total is the silver composition of the coin. 12 dineros equals pure silver, and each dinero is divided into 24 granos. If that be true, '10d' is 5/6 or .83333; then add 20 granos--another 20/24ths of one dinero, or .8333 of one dinero-- and the total weight in silver is then 10.8333 dineros, or 90.275% silver.
Don.........