Spanish Coin?

[Gravedigger]

i found three of these one from 1791 one from 1799 and one from 1805

Heads side says Del Gratia Carolus IIII
Tails side says Hispan Et Ind Rex M 8R F M one says T instead of F M

I was just wondering what they are and of course how much they are worth

[PBK]

It appears to be an 8 reales (Spanish dollar or piece of eight) struck at the colonial mint in Mexico City, and also bears a number of "chop marks" indicating circulation in the Orient.

[Gravedigger]

wow so is there anyway to tell where it has been by the "chop marks"?

Thanks PBK

[PBK]

wow so is there anyway to tell where it has been by the "chop marks"?

You might find some useful pages or links at http://www.chopmarks.com

[Gravedigger]

Thanks so much

I got another coin for you to ID later :P

i am cleaning it first then i will put it up

Thanks again

[RELICDUDE07]

Did you dig them ? What part of the states?It may help you with the chop marks

[Gravedigger]

I dug them in the USVI St. John to be exact but that site PBK gave me is very good it says what the chop marks mean but not where the were stamped or by whom, actually one of the coins isn't stamped which is odd.

[RELICDUDE07]

Some of the marks look like they could have been used in japan . That looks like a great spot to look for some more....Maybe some gold around where you found them.Goodluck

[Gravedigger]

Yeah i wish i could have stayed there but of course when i find something i have to leave

Did the Japaneses use Chop Marks?

Thanks

So far i have found that one of the marks means Big and another one says pure silver
And one is unknown.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Wow 3 8Rs in one place! Are the others Mexico City mint? Look for the M with a small o on top. o
M

[Gravedigger]

Yeah there is a M with the O above it what is that
and there is one with a T H instead of F M

Thanks

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yeah there is a M with the O above it what is that
and there is one with a T H instead of F M

Thanks

The M with the o above is Mexico City mint mark, as PBK stated. Are they all from Spanish colonial Mexico?

[Gravedigger]

yes they all are

where else can they be from?

[Bigcypresshunter]

yes they all are

where else can they be from?

Potosi, Bogota Colombia, Bolivia, Lima, Guatemala maybe and some other Spanish colonies. I do not know them all nor do i know the time periods of the different mints. But the M with o is Mexico City.

[Bigcypresshunter]

OK here you go: http://www.newworldtreasures.com/cointypes.htm


Milled Bust Type: The fifth and final type of Spanish colonial silver coin design in the New World. Struck at the Mexico, Lima, Bogotá, Guatemala, Potosi, Santiago, Popayan, and Cuzco mints in the time period of 1771 to 1825 - all with dates.

[Gravedigger]

wow thank you thats really helpful

I wonder if the other 8 reales are worth more depending where they are minted.

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yeah there is a M with the O above it what is that
and there is one with a T H instead of F M

Thanks

FM and TH are assayer mint marks. http://www.newworldtreasures.com/milledbust.htm


I meant to say assayers initials.

[Gravedigger]

Hmm thats pretty cool who knew you can learn so much by just looking at a coin

Thanks

[Mackaydon]

TH should be the assayer's initials on your newest date only; the others will be FM. All are 40 mm in dia. The earliest coin (1791) contains 27.07 grams of silver; the 1805 contains 26.83 grams and the other one: 26.75 grams. Without the chop marks, 25 years ago, those coins between VG and EF condition were worth $40-90 (per Grove). Five years ago, the value range broadened slightly to between $20 and $100. (Harper/Krause).
You have a great piece of history and conversational value with those coins, the chop marks and where you found them.
Don.......

[Gravedigger]

Thanks Don very helpful thats a lot of silver in such a small coin (well not that small but still)
Its also funny to see how the silver content went down the newer it is i guess that happens with all currency though.