WOW!!! Never thought I would find one of these!…….

[Mike from MI]

I have been on many CW hunts out east and have seen many reales found. Always wanted to find one but never figured it would be a "BIG" 8 reales! I met up with some friends to hunt an old park. On our way we came across some street construction in the old part of town. We decided the the park wasn't going anywhere but the construction would be done soon enough. The street was gone and the curbs. The grass areas and sidewalks still remained except for at each intersection, about 10' of sidewalk was gone at the corners. Well a few blocks down I was searching a corner of sidewalk bed and got a good coin hit. I put my hand digger in and out popped a big dark disc. I thought it was a big washer or? Then I noticed an "old" eagle on the back. I knew it was pre Morgan so I thought I had a trade dollar. I soon realized it was an old Spanish 8 Reales. The date is 1832. The sidewalk was laid in 1900 so it had been buried at least 115 years. But since it was about 4" deep in the dark dirt under the sidewalk I think much longer. I had to use electrolysis to clean it up then took it to my coin dealer to authenticate it. I entered it last night in the find of the month contest at our metal detecting club and it won best coin! It's also now my oldest silver. Hope you guys like it as much as I do.

 

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[GrandBlancDig]

That is why you do this, for finds like that! Great coinage and awesome story! Thanks for sharing.

 

[lonewolfe]

Good story and excellent find Mike (I found one of those about 10 yrs ago in a schoolyard (a high school)

although

that's not a "Spanish Reale"

it's a Mexico Libertad (referred to as a reale) but is not from spain

the "M" stamp AFTER the date is the "key" to it's origin (M = Mexico)

they were produced in several countries throughout the world ---

the ones from Spain (an 1832 true reale) has an Emperor on the obverse with the date stamped under the portrait and they have a coat of arms shield with a crown on top on the reverse with Lions and castles,

yours =

REPUBLICA MEXICANA above the Mexico Coat of Arms.
8 R D 1832 M 10D 20 G below Cap of Liberty inscribed LIBERTAD with rays radiating outwards.

still = a GREAT find and I bet the old heart was a pumping when you seen that in the hole!!

 

[postalgriff]

!!! WOW! That's a big hunk of old silver Mike! Congrats big time! how big is that sucker in comparison to a Morgan?

 

[Mike from MI]

!!! WOW! That's a big hunk of old silver Mike! Congrats big time! how big is that sucker in comparison to a Morgan?
​Hey Griff, a Morgan is 38.1mm and the 8 Reale is 38.9mm

 

[bigblockjohn454]

What a find! Congrats Mike.

 

[Bum Luck]

.............I entered it last night in the find of the month contest at our metal detecting club and it won best coin! .........

That's no surprise!

If it hadn't, I'd have moved to yo town and started detecting; obviously better than around here.

Good score!

 

[fistfulladirt]

Just gorgeous Mike what a huge coin, congrats!

 

[megnpat]

dang thats nice

 

[Inspector]

Congrats on the save, that's a beauty!!!

 

[mcmich]

Awesome coin, congrats on the win!

 

[Brentallica]

Outstanding big old hunk of Silver!!
Congratulations Mike!!

 

[Michiganne]

A unique silver coin for sure, Mike. WTG!

 

[Michigander Dan]

Holy Moly! Nice find Mike.

 

[kkbroker]

Sweet find Mike... you just never know... Congrats!

 

[Deerhunter24]

Wow excellent find. Whether its a Reale or a Libertad...amazing, especially for Michigan. Nice to know those kind of coins are in these lands as well. I would love to cross that coin off my list...now that I know it exists!!!

DH24

 

[K Zack]

Great Find on that Coin. You just proved there is hope for Michigan yet. Congratulations Mike