1774 Spanish Silver

[dowster]

A visit to the wife's family in PA and a field nearby a few days ago yielded first a piece of cast iron pipe(at least that's what I think it might be) and later, the coin you see here. I'm still pretty new to the hobby, so feeling a lotta lucky (and more than that, excited to have found something so old - and a part of our history!) Both the coin and the pipe fragment were about six inches down. Had to leave shortly after finding the coin, so wow, can't wait to get back there on the next trip. Wondering how that stuff got there and what else might be waiting patiently for some attention..

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[West Jersey Detecting]

Nice earlier Corollus III! Looks like the Mexico City mint from the photo! I guess beginner's luck! It took me almost 10 years to find my first Spanish Silver!

 

[JW15]

Sweet score on the Reale!

 

[dowster]

Thanks for the congrats/replies!
How can you tell which mint it came from?
And I guess I need to work on my photo cropping technique now that I see the pics in the post! Taking another shot at the pipe pics:

 

[AGBlex]

musta been real nice comin outa the hole!

 

[jewelerguy]

nice reale

 

[zaxfire69]

One day i will find the elusive Spanish Silver. Congrats on some great finds.

 

[Mackaydon]

The coin's diameter will tell its denomination: 40mm=8R; 34mm=4R; 28mm=2R; and 20mm=1R

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Thanks for the congrats/replies!
How can you tell which mint it came from?

Mexico City is the most common mint for Spanish Colonials. It is identified by the M with the circle over it (

) on the reverse of the coin around 9 o'clock.

If it is slightly smaller than a dime it is a half reale marked with an "R" at around 8 o'clock. Slightly bigger would be a one 1R, etc. It is hard to see from the photos but I can make out the R.

 

[steelheadwill]

Welcome and Congrats on the Spanish!
Beginners luck is no myth,,,
Wish I still had it

 

[Syrena Hunter]

Nice Spanish silver! HH

 

[HISPAN]

nice Reale ...congrats !!

 

[Lanny in AB]

Wow!

All the best,

Lanny