I think I got One !

[steelheadwill]

Last night I dug a thoroughly encrusted coin.
I've dug several like this, all from the same loose gravel and shell layer under the mud, after removing the crust I usually have a thin blank planchet. On the drive home, I notice the object is not round and I flake a piece of the edge off.
I see what looks like the tab of a watch fob or medallion, darn!! it's not even a coin.
I arrive home and begin cleaning finds in the sink.
Rinsed everything but the 'watch fob', I consider taking a 'before' photo, then just rub it between my fingers under running water till the crust is mostly gone.
I look at it under the light and see THE CROSS
I so wish I had split the crust off carefully, there's a good chance I would have gotten 2 mirror images off of it.
I was able to recover one fragment with partial image from the sink.
The inside that was in contact with the silver is oily black & probably high silver content.
Still some detail hidden on this piece, (esp, the 'non cross' side, obverse/reverse, I don't know) but I'm not sure how to proceed with cleaning.
It weighs 10.3 grams, and rings like a bell when it touches the table.
judging by weight I think it's a worn/clipped 4 Reale.
Thanks for looking & HH to All

[realeswatcher]

Nice find... Obviously corroded, but most of the design features are at least somewhat visible. Yes, it's definitely to be a 4R, reduced in mass a bit by the ground. Mexico mint, shield features date it in the 1630's-early 1650's, so a rather early piece, and a rather large piece of pocket change to find (seems like people usually come across halves or 1R, maybe a 2R). Here it is compressed a bit with both sides rotated to proper alignment... I believe we see a faint bit of the "4" to the right of the shield:

[steelheadwill]

Thank You RealesWatcher.
Great info,
Toothbrush & sponge took off some patina/crust.
Best digs to You!

[ivan salis]

winner winner -chicken dinner --4 reales tend to be rarer finds --and that looks to be a old one

[steelheadwill]

winner winner -chicken dinner --4 reales tend to be rarer finds --and that looks to be a old one

Thanks Ivan, I'll remember that one !

[stevemc]

Nice! It is clearly as realeswatcher said, and it is very corroded. Must be in a wet/moist area, or near saltwater.

[steelheadwill]

Nice! It is clearly as realeswatcher said, and it is very corroded. Must be in a wet/moist area, or near saltwater.

Thanks Steve,
yes, it was recovered from a tidal creek.
HH to You