New member - Help with cob identification please

[goldcoastwayne]

Hi! Can anyone identify this cob for me? I believe it is either a 4 or 8 reale (haven't weighed it yet). I think it is Charles II. What mint? Is this minted between 1680 - 1700? Thanks for your help! Incidentally it is the about the size of an American Silver half dollar and weighs about the same.

[divewrecks]

It is definitely Mexican and I'm thinking it is a 4 reale. Is it really the size of a half dollar. Looks smaller. I know coin pictures are tough, but I really need a closer view of the shield side for narrowing date range. The dates you mention are possible, but it might be even earlier. If you can make out or speculate on the letter to the lower left of the shield that would help.

Welcome aboard!
Stan

[goldcoastwayne]

Thanks Stan! Yes the circumference is about the same as a walking liberty half dollar...just slightly smaller...but much larger than a quarter.

[Mackaydon]

I'm leaning more towards Felipe IV with his P and D assayers than with Carlos II and his L and G assayers. IMHO

[goldcoastwayne]

Just used a jewelers loupe on coin - assayer appears to be a D...

[divewrecks]

After some comparisons I believe that is right. That would make it between 1618 & 1634. Details of the shield leads me to believe it is from his (the assayer's) later years, 1630's. Let us know the weight when you get it.

Stan

[goldcoastwayne]

After some comparisons I believe that is right. That would make it between 1618 & 1634. Details of the shield leads me to believe it is from his (the assayer's) later years, 1630's. Let us know the weight when you get it.

Stan

This cob weighed in at 13.6 g - apparently a 4 reale, as you suspected

[divewrecks]

After some comparisons I believe that is right. That would make it between 1618 & 1634. Details of the shield leads me to believe it is from his (the assayer's) later years, 1630's. Let us know the weight when you get it.

Stan

This cob weighed in at 13.6 g - apparently a 4 reale, as you suspected

That's cool. The 4 reale is usually the rarest denomination of any given year.

Stan