1675 Spanish Silver Two Reale Cob!!

Steve in PA

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Tried a new permission yesterday. The owner said it was built in 1820. He also said it had been gone over with metal detectors before. He doesn't live there, but there were a couple guys doing some electrical work yesterday. The grass hadn't been mowed in a while and was pretty high in some places.
After 2.5 hours of digging, all I had was a pocket full of shell casings, fired bullets, four modern coins, some other miscellaneous junk, and a mouthful of frustration. The oldest thing I had at this point was a toe tap from an old boot. I was ready to call it a day and was working my way out when I got a nice signal on the Deus. It wasn't deep and I was expecting another clad quarter.
I wasn't expecting this!! A 1675 Two Reale Cob from the reign of Charles II, minted in Potasi Bolivia!!
Cob in Dirt.jpg

Dirty in Hand 2.jpg

Dirty in Hand 1.jpg

Cob Front.JPG

Cob Back.JPG
 

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Almy

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Just curious, how did you get the info about the mint, the date and the size (2 reales)? I've never found a cob and likely won't but it intrigues me how someone like you can look at one and get all that information.
 

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Steve in PA

Steve in PA

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Just curious, how did you get the info about the mint, the date and the size (2 reales)? I've never found a cob and likely won't but it intrigues me how someone like you can look at one and get all that information.
I've seen enough of them and dug a couple,, so I know a little. But I posted it on a colonial relic and coin Facebook group and waited for the experts the experts to chime in for the rest of the info.
 

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Steve in PA

Steve in PA

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Congrats. Ive never found a cob at a site that wasnt at least mid 18th century but Ive found a lot of worn milled Spanish at later sites so no reason cobs couldnt be there:dontknow:
There is also a chance there was an earlier house there before the current 1820 house. I need to dig some more to get a better date range on the place.
 

Digger RJ

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Tried a new permission yesterday. The owner said it was built in 1820. He also said it had been gone over with metal detectors before. He doesn't live there, but there were a couple guys doing some electrical work yesterday. The grass hadn't been mowed in a while and was pretty high in some places.
After 2.5 hours of digging, all I had was a pocket full of shell casings, fired bullets, four modern coins, some other miscellaneous junk, and a mouthful of frustration. The oldest thing I had at this point was a toe tap from an old boot. I was ready to call it a day and was working my way out when I got a nice signal on the Deus. It wasn't deep and I was expecting another clad quarter.
I wasn't expecting this!! A 1675 Two Reale Cob from the reign of Charles II, minted in Potasi Bolivia!!
View attachment 2042921
View attachment 2042922
View attachment 2042923
View attachment 2042924
View attachment 2042925
Awesome!!! Congrats!!!!!
 

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Steve in PA

Steve in PA

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That is a wonderful find. From the looks of it, it was lost when pretty new due to the detail on it!
I was happy to see the coin had decent details, but I can't imagine that it was still pretty new when lost. The current standing house was built in 1820, and it is possible that the site is older, but no older than the 1760s based on the history of the general area.
 

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JeffInMass

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Speaks volumes to the fact that you simply never know what's going to come out of the ground- no rhyme or reason, thus making every signal a potential lifetime find like you just experienced- Big time Congrats!
 

mddavis3

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Tried a new permission yesterday. The owner said it was built in 1820. He also said it had been gone over with metal detectors before. He doesn't live there, but there were a couple guys doing some electrical work yesterday. The grass hadn't been mowed in a while and was pretty high in some places.
After 2.5 hours of digging, all I had was a pocket full of shell casings, fired bullets, four modern coins, some other miscellaneous junk, and a mouthful of frustration. The oldest thing I had at this point was a toe tap from an old boot. I was ready to call it a day and was working my way out when I got a nice signal on the Deus. It wasn't deep and I was expecting another clad quarter.
I wasn't expecting this!! A 1675 Two Reale Cob from the reign of Charles II, minted in Potasi Bolivia!!
View attachment 2042921
View attachment 2042922
View attachment 2042923
View attachment 2042924
View attachment 2042925
Awesome coin!
 

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Steve in PA

Steve in PA

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Jul 5, 2010
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Speaks volumes to the fact that you simply never know what's going to come out of the ground- no rhyme or reason, thus making every signal a potential lifetime find like you just experienced- Big time Congrats!
I was back there again today for about an hour. Got an 1884 V nickel, a thimble, and a harmonica reed. Still haven't even found a tombac or flat button there!
 

unclemac

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could you have found a Potosi heart cob?

 

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Steve in PA

Steve in PA

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could you have found a Potosi heart cob?

I didn't realize there was such a thing, but after reading the article, I think it might be possible. It has the heart shape, but is missing the top stem. But... the coin has been clipped and only weighs 4.72 instead of 6.82, so maybe the top stem was removed?
 

Blak bart

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Very big congrats for a fabulous cobb coin !! What a beauty !!
 

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