4 escudo

[pawnman]

I know it is a 4 escudo but I don't know if it is authentic or what the markings are or the date. I have been researching but not luck what is the oMF? The markings are really sharp so either in excellent condition or replica? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. I purchased in local south Florida pawnshop for little over bullion value. Was it a score or a conversation piece?

 

[Mackaydon]

BCH:
What you wrote works for me.
Don.....

 

[Mackaydon]

Another 'warning bell', as Cru so aptly puts it, is the 'scratch test' came up short of 22k. 22k is the benchmark quality for Mexican gold coins of this type issued after 1728.

True, the weight could be 'light' for a number of factors--and the coin could still be genuine; but messing with a lesser percentage of gold than the prescribed quality does set off 'warning bells'.

 

[CRUSADER]

Another 'warning bell', as Cru so aptly puts it, is the 'scratch test' came up short of 22k. 22k is the benchmark quality for Mexican gold coins of this type issued after 1728.

True, the weight could be 'light' for a number of factors--and the coin could still be genuine; but messing with a lesser percentage of gold than the prescribed quality does set off 'warning bells'.

Apart from it not looking quite right, its common practice to produce convincing looking ancient gold coin fakes out of real gold. But apart from that, common sense tells me the shop keeper had an expert look at it, (after finding out the facts, because he must have thought he had a winner) the best mitigation he had was to sell it at bullion price. Therefore scratch test not an issue. Because if you thought it might be real, you took a risk of letting him devalue an attractive coin.

At least being gold, you have an asset, but I would like to see these melted out of circulation, maybe make some jewelry with it.

 

[Iron Patch]

The correct weight and gold content mean nothing to me because I can't get past how it looks. If it was a milled coin it would be tougher, but in my opinion there's no way it could have been struck and look like this. The center is perfect, everywhere. (but yet the edge is not, because that's how they give them "the look")

If anyone can post another as good, I might change my mind, but I just looked through one of my catalogs from Spain and none were even close.

 

[CRUSADER]

The correct weight and gold content mean nothing to me because I can't get past how it looks. If it was a milled coin it would be tougher, but in my opinion there's no way it could have been struck and look like this. The center is perfect, everywhere.

If anyone can post another, I might change my mind, but I just looked through one of my catelogs from Spain and none were even close.

I know, but I try & avoid the 'I know it looks fake' line because not even an expert can tell from a photo

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I know, but I try & avoid the 'I know it looks fake' line because not even an expert can tell from a photo

Not me. I only avoided it because I am not familiar at all with Spanish gold.
Now if this were silver, I would have made a comment.

 

[Iron Patch]

I know, but I try & avoid the 'I know it looks fake' line because not even an expert can tell from a photo

Not me. I only avoided it because I am not familiar at all with Spanish gold.
Now if this were silver, I would have made a comment.

Same thing. Hammered silver never look that perfect. I think the other side also has a plated type look to it.

My best guess from everything said, and the pics, is a non struck modern reproduction that might actually have been done in gold. At least if that's as bad as it gets there's no money lost.

 

[Iron Patch]

Here's mine. Someone had already done the scrape test before it made it to me.

Someone, whom I've not yet chosen, will some day dig this up.

 

[Silver Searcher]

The correct weight and gold content mean nothing to me because I can't get past how it looks. If it was a milled coin it would be tougher, but in my opinion there's no way it could have been struck and look like this. The center is perfect, everywhere.

If anyone can post another, I might change my mind, but I just looked through one of my catelogs from Spain and none were even close.

I know, but I try & avoid the 'I know it looks fake' line because not even an expert can tell from a photo

I'm surprised you made a comment at all it's not as if you have seen these in the hand, and you struggle to Id your own finds

SS

 

[Broken knee]

The correct weight and gold content mean nothing to me because I can't get past how it looks. If it was a milled coin it would be tougher, but in my opinion there's no way it could have been struck and look like this. The center is perfect, everywhere.

If anyone can post another, I might change my mind, but I just looked through one of my catelogs from Spain and none were even close.

I know, but I try & avoid the 'I know it looks fake' line because not even an expert can tell from a photo

I'm surprised you made a comment at all it's not as if you have seen these in the hand, and you struggle to Id your own finds

SS

OUCH
BK