Potosi corazon

[Billy]

We are attaching two photos (front and back) of a coin we found on the beach a couple of weeks ago on the Treasure Coast where we live.

We haven't had much luck finding comparables in any database.

Has anyone seen a coin of this type?

We believe it is a 1658 Potosi, assayer E
We weighed it and it came in at 8.7 grams

We believe it was a 4 reale and cut down to this shape.
Some one told us that these types of coins were given to the clergy in the colonies.

We can't tell if it is real and has been sheared on the edges or if it is a counterfeit.

If someone were to fake a coin, wouldn't they counterfeit a common type instead of a unique design?


Any information would be appreciated.

Billy

[PBK]

Glad to have you with us here on TreasureNet, Billy!

If someone were to fake a coin, wouldn't they counterfeit a common type instead of a unique design?

Not necessarily. Here's a link to a similarly cut piece which is known to be a fake.

http://www.sedwickcoins.com/p8r1742Cheartfake.jpg

If you will e-mail the photos to the following expert on Spanish colonial coinage, he should be able to help you:

Daniel Frank Sedwick
info@sedwickcoins.com

[Trez]

Might as well ruffle a few more feathers...............
A "TRUE" corazon reales..........will weigh very very close to it's origional weight.
Anything over...or under by to much.
Someone other than the origional mint Master made it and most likely not period piece.
ask someone who will tell you what you want to hear, sorry it won't be me.


Trez

[Billy]

Question:

Were the coins cut before or after they were weighed at the mint?

Were they trimmed with big cutters or what?

It was found about 4" down in the sand, the photos show sand particles still attached to the metal.

Where was the other Pillars and waves coin found? Ours was north of Sebastian Inlet.

Billy

[Trez]

Billy,
There is a good article written on Corazon's (called the Hearts of Potosi)
It is in the 3rd quarter edition 1991 PLUS ULTRA newsletter, Vol. 9 no. 3
It may shed some info on your piece.....
I will pull the copy...and provide you with the info soon.
It will be a few days, OK

PS. that is the original condition of coin when found? the picture you show with the sand showing?
but an interesting point you made by saying it was found North of the Inlet.
I will e-mail you as to why north of the inlet has my interest.

Trez

[holeintoe]

Hi Guys: I would take PBK's advise and contact Daniel Frank Sedwick.



info@sedwickcoins.com

[mad4wrecks]

How far north of the inlet? North of Bonsteel park??

[Billy]

found it just south of Bonsteel Park

Billy

[mad4wrecks]

yeah, we used to call that area Silver Beach. The only thing that concerns me about the coin is how clean it came up when found.

Below is a picture of some cobs found further north on the beach in Brevard after hurricane Jeanne. Notice the green patina and encrustation.

[Snee]

Is it a radish? :P

Very nice!

[Bigcypresshunter]

Is it silver?

[Snee]

To me, it just looks like something you might run across in Super Mario Brothers 2 for NES!

[Hardy]

Like the Rest of the Guys, looks too clean