Potosi Mint Bolivian Spanish Cobs

[CaliColin]

A few years ago, I spend a few months traveling through South America, and happened upon these coins in some of the old markets of La Paz, Bolivia. I have done a little research about their history, and had a jeweler friend look at them and give me some of his insight, but that is about it. Does anyone out there have any idea of their history, authenticity, or value? I recently became aware of the "drop test", and 2 of the 5 have a distinctive high pitched tinny sound when dropped. The other 3 have a solid "thud" sound.

Thanks so much for any of your insight! If only I had the time and money to invest in some equipment!

[Mackaydon]

They appear as replicas to me; probably produced for the tourist trade in that area.
Don........

[CaliColin]

Hi Don, (Or anyone else in agreement with Don)
Of course that message makes me disappointed, but what are you seeing that indicates replicas?

Thanks!

[Mackaydon]

Uniform 'flatness' and complete designs. Probably a 'bargain price' also. If you don't mind the Q, what was the price for all of them?

[Zephyr]

If the ones in the corners are replicas, then they've been stamped instead of cast (as the edges are all different.) The center one, not sure about (it looks "too" good.)

'fraid you'll have to get them weighed and compare the results to the mint records to be sure.

[Trez]

I was hoping someone would start...
The same dies were used if you look carefully...just different blanks "planchets", I do believe they were struck with dies and on a variety of planchets, and then mass produced...except for the middle.
Sedwick has a 1707 listed under his "fakes" but I haven't compared yours to his, you may want to check yourself. Weigh them with a good gram scale and let us know...also what you paid for them (it's OK we won't laugh) to loudly, just kidding.

They look like "store bought" and "tourist made" just of a nicer quality.

I smells someting feeshie, lol

Trez

[Iron Patch]

Look a little dubious to me as well and probably some of the better fakes posted here. Would be nice if we're all wrong.

[SamsSon]

I can't tell by the pictures.

But I do know early Spanish silver coins are widely faked. They've been doing this hot and heavy for 50+ years.

As I type this there are probably at least 10 master engravers working on fakes somewhere in the world.

I sometimes think better than 50% sold in shops and on ebay are fakes. Some of these will never be found out because they're just too good.

They can fake almost anything today.

To my knowledge nobody has waisted time faking the copper cobs. At least I've never seen one. There are just too many cheap genuine ones out there to even mess with them.

I hope your coins check out okay but I fear the others are probably correct.

[PyrateJim]

Sorry, but I have to agree with them being fakes. The 8 reales appear to have been made from the same dies (tops ones from one die, bottom ones from another) onto slightly different planchets. Thing to do is pick oout something on one, a mark by a letter perhaps, and see if you see it on the other one. In this case, I do. On several "marks". The center coin, just looks too "perfect". Something about it is yelling " a real reale looks something like me".

Sorry

[cuzcosquirrel]

There are some style issues with all of them. I wouldn't consider these to be the best reproductions that could be made.