Cob

[Harold in Fla.]

A friend of mine found this today, does anybody know what year it is, or anything else.? Harold

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nice find. I know very little about cobs, but it looks old to me. Someone else will ID. Is that 1619? Where did your friend find it? Beach? How deep? etc.

[Trez]

It's an upside down 1 reales, South American

[Harold in Fla.]

here's the other side of the cob, i think he found it up around NY he's suppose to get back to me. harold

[Mackaydon]

The date is unreadable; it would have been under the 'SVL' . Sure is an odd one.

[Trez]

Mack,

Do you see the V (maybe VR) right of cross-arm?
also the style of the 3 top castle turrets, that may help to narrow down more - what you think? and the dot(s) above the 1. I know the one dot - represents the denom...so we know that, right Mack? that's the easy one...the coin does give you clues if you look closely.
I have my guess as to date....

Trez

[Mackaydon]

Trez:
Sure do see those things.
Reminded me first of one real coins from Potosi (circa 1680s) Assayer V. Then I took a second look at that 'V' and saw the letter bisected by another mark (like that object in the middle of a flower). I also noticed the Pillar configuration is 'different'. The typical Type 3 Pillars top area has a different look than this coin; notice the top of the column pattern. That made me think the coin may not be Potosi; maybe Lima.
I'm further confused in that those 'dots' were first used to designate the value on the pre-1542 series, and underneath the dots was the assayer's initial. In this case, two or three dots might designate 2 or 3 reales and the "I" designate the assayer (not a valuation of one real). Unfortunately, I think the 'more beyond' initials on that series consisted of four letters combined: PLVS verus this coin with only 3 letters.

See what only a little knowledge can do to make things totally confusing? I'll keep at it--maybe.
What's your take on this?
Don....

[Harold in Fla.]

what would you think is the best way to clean this coin, or not to clean this coin so you could see it a lot better? Harold

[Mackaydon]

Harold:
I've heard that wrapping the coin in tin foil and baking soda, then submerging this package in distilled water--frequently checking the progress of the process--works. I'll quickly add that you may wish to get a second--and better--opinion for a 'quick fix'. Electrolysis if you have the equipment and time.

[Bigcypresshunter]

First thing to do RIGHT NOW is to soak this coin in distilled water to remove the salts, if it was found in that environment.

[Bigcypresshunter]

what would you think is the best way to clean this coin, or not to clean this coin so you could see it a lot better? Harold

Jason (Scubafinder) works with the Fishers as a conservator. Send him a PM. He sure could answer this question. I would say electrolysis but I suggest you ask Scubafinder.

[carolus2]

It is a one real potosi real asseyer V = Villar , may be rare.

For info in cobs see our web page : robcar.net

Piratillo

what would you think is the best way to clean this coin, or not to clean this coin so you could see it a lot better? Harold

Jason (Scubafinder) works with the Fishers as a conservator. Send him a PM. He sure could answer this question. I would say electrolysis but I suggest you ask Scubafinder.