recently found cobs questions

[dimeinator]

hi i haven't found any cobs in a while.but yesterday and today i lucked out and got into a hot spot and found 9 cobs.3 the first day and 6 the second.i have a few questions i would apreciate your help with.i don't think they are silver they appear to be copper.it this right?they were all found in the same general aera but some are round and some are just struck,could they be from the same ship?from the pictures do you have any guesses as to the dates or mints or possibly the fleet?to not give away my new hunting spot lets just say they were found on the gulf coast somewhere between clearwater beach and st.pete beach.i would greatly apreciate any info on these from this knowledgeable forum.more photos and info can be provided as needed.thanks

 

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[Mackaydon]

They appear to be Spanish copper coins called maravedis.
Don...
PS: One of them fits this description: (1601-1621 vintage)

If the diameter is about 16.5 mm, then it's a 2 maravedis; if 20.5, then a 4 maravedis; and if 28mm, then an 8 maravedis.
PPS: At least 9 different mints produced a coin of this style.

 

[dimeinator]

hi mackaydon thanks for the reply.do you think these could be from a shipwreck?i was wondering why i was only finding copper and no silver.it just seems strange that i found these in a very small area.probably 30 X 20 yards.unless they got pumped up from the gulf for a beach replenishment

 

[Mackaydon]

Yes, it could be from a shipwreck, but not part of manifested 'treasure';more like personal possessions of one or more crew members. Then again, it could be from a salvage campsite; not from the ship or its crew, but from a land based salvage team. No doubt, other scenarios could be put forth.
You may wish to mark the paper next to these coins as 1a and 1b, etc. so as to facilitate discerning which obverse goes with which reverse.
Don.....

 

[Mackaydon]

It would take some time to study each coin.
I see the letter "B" standing alone on one coin.
The "B" represent the mintmark of Burgos, a city in northern Spain that was once the historic capital of the region called Castile.
Indeed you did find a hot spot; keep digging and good luck.
Don....

 

[Mackaydon]

On one side of the large notched coin is the Roman number 'VIII' and on the reverse side of that coin is the number '41'. This suggests the coin was reevaluation to 8 maravedis in the year 1641. A good source of information regarding maravedis coins is located here: MARAVEDIS.NET: monedas españolas
Don....

 

[dimeinator]

thanks for all your help don.i figured the people on this forum would have some info on these right away.it would probably take me weeks of computer searching to find out what you guys allready know.lol.i am resting up my arm for my next hunt.i hunted 3 days in a row in that area for about 6 hr each day,my arm is killing me.i will probably be going out agian on monday.most of the coins were in a good depth range for my detector except for the round one.it was a very faint deeper signal.when i go back on monday i'll be consintraiting on those weaker signals.thanks agian for the info you have given me.

 

[lisfisher]

WOW!! Amazing finds! Nothing like the mystique of old spanish coins. Congrats, finding 9 of these is anyone's dream come true!!

 

[Mackaydon]

dimeinator,
You may wish to draw a chart of where these coins have been(and in the future are to be) found.
Save all other artifacts; they may help date your site. So far, you know your site most likely postdates 1640 since 1641 is the date on one coin.
These coins were the 'pocket change' of the day. Your finds may have nothing to do with a shipwreck. You might research Spanish history in that area--'on the QT', of course. Was there a Spanish settlement within that immediate area?
Don.....

 

[dimeinator]

hi don fort desoto is somewhat near the area.so yes there probably were some settlements around.it could be an old time pocket spill.

 

[Mackaydon]

Exactly !!
I'm looking forward to seeing your next group of findings.
And, yes, others with much more knowledge than I are no doubt lurking and will chime in at any time with more specifics.
Don.......

 

[Mackaydon]

Ft. DeSoto was built in 1898; too late for these coins. You might research the pirate, Gaspar, since he and that area are known for his looting and buried treasure stories.
Don.....

 

[dimeinator]

wow 1898 i thought fort desoto was a lot older than that.the pirate gaspar is very popular in this area.they have a big celebration and parade called gasparilla where pirates take over the town.i think it happens in the springtime.

 

[EnriqueMayor]

Hi boys! Great finds, Dimenaitor. I'm also looking forward to seeing your next group of findings.I loved all.

Very good commentaries of Don!As has already been said, possibly lost in or near military fort, not a ship.
I attached the photos which I think are.

View attachment 913058 View attachment 913059 View attachment 913061

Good luck in your next finds

 

[Mackaydon]

Maravedindon,
Welcome to Treasure Net !!
Unfortunately, your attachments didn't come through--at least on my computer.
Don..

 

[dimeinator]

hi marvedindon i could not open the link to view,there was a problem somewhere.i can't wait to get back to the site on monday.i will definatly give an up-date of what i find.

 

[EnriqueMayor]

Oops! Alright Now?

 

[EnriqueMayor]

I think I have problems with the pictures hoster and I'll try to read a tutorial to I can fix it.

Oh it's a beautiful part of our history and I wish you all the luck of the world

 

[Mackaydon]

Maravedindon.
Pics and the coins' attributions came through just fine; thanks.
Don....

 

[tarpon192]

hi i haven't found any cobs in a while.but yesterday and today i lucked out and got into a hot spot and found 9 cobs.3 the first day and 6 the second.i have a few questions i would apreciate your help with.i don't think they are silver they appear to be copper.it this right?they were all found in the same general aera but some are round and some are just struck,could they be from the same ship?from the pictures do you have any guesses as to the dates or mints or possibly the fleet?to not give away my new hunting spot lets just say they were found on the gulf coast somewhere between clearwater beach and st.pete beach.i would greatly apreciate any info on these from this knowledgeable forum.more photos and info can be provided as needed.thanks

It's possible someone scattered them their on purpose. Fee-bay is loaded with lots like these. Just my two bits.