Spanish Cob found today?

[Brian in MA]

Found this in a field west of Boston in an area that has produced Mass. Bay silver and spanish silver. Is there enough detail on this cob to accurately ID it? If not, any ideas to type and age? Thanks for looking!

Peanut

 

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[Trez]

It is minted in Mexico, circa 1700s...philip V?
1/2 real.
Let me rotate the pic...it may be a Charles II - pre 1700
I can't make out the monogram...
true....the weight will tell if it is a 1/2 real or a 1 (like capt'n dom said)

Trez

 

[Brian in MA]

Trez,

Thanks for the quick reply. I have added a second pic of the other side to the original post. I am still very much a rookie at the whole posting thing. I hope it helps you identify it. Thanks...

 

[stevemc]

Yeah, the only thing that sticks out is the cross, which is definetly a Mexican cross. Hard to tell from either pic the date, not enough there. The size is small so I quess 1/2 reale too. But it seems well preserved and in good shape.

 

[capt dom]

All the other posts are right on. It could be late 17th century.

It appears to be a mexican 1/2 or one reale'. Check the weight. Remember the spanish divided a unit of measure into 8 parts - an 8 reale' weighing in at one normal not "troy" ounce. If it is around 1/5th of an ounce its a one.

The balls on the top of the cross make me think it is Mexican.

 

[hollowpointred]

thats an outstanding find! how deep was it?

 

[Brian in MA]

Thanks for all the info. I will have to find a way to weigh it to determine whether it is a 1/2 or a one reale. Is there a link available to a picture that would show a similar cob with more detail? When these are found are they always this worn, or were they just not 'stamped' hard enough when made (if that is the right term) or do they just suffer a lot of wear from being in circulation?

To Hollowpoint, it was about 5 inches deep. But, I'm sure this field has been turned over quite a bit through the years.

It amazes me how you guys were able to ID this so fast with so little detail left on the coin. You guys rock !!!

Thanks again,
peanut

 

[Snee]

Don't know anything about them, but that's a really awesome find!

 

[Dimeman]

Beautiful silver coin !!!! What a super find.