ARE COBS ALWAYS GOLD OR SILVER?

[jimb]

I was told by someone a long time ago that cobs were also made of copper and sometimes made of lead. Can this be true? At any rate here is my photo of a lead cob. This is an eBay POSSABLE FAKE COIN.

 

[PyrateJim]

At first glance, this cob says F.A.K.E. to me. The markings are correct, Assayer N, Lima mint, dated 1736, but something about it does not appear correct. What is it made of? It should be silver and nothing else.

As for the first question, the term "cob" is used to identify a coin, mostly New World, that was made from hand cutting a planchet fromteh end of a bar and hand stamping it accordingly, verses the screw press coins of the New World starting in 1732/33. Using this "definition" a cob can be either silver or gold. A silver cob will be called a "reale" and a gold cob will be an "escudo". Coins made from copper are called "maravedis". Coins made from lead or pewter are called "fake."

Hope this helps

 

[jimb]

Pyratejim, Thanks for the reply! The coin klinks when dropped as apposed to the nice ring of silver. It is hard so must be led mixed with who knows what. Jim B

 

[PyrateJim]

The coin klinks when dropped as apposed to the nice ring of silver.

I'm sorry to hear that, but "klinks" mean kounterfiet. "Tings" rhyms with "blings" and that my friend, is the reale thing!

 

[cuzcosquirrel]

It would be cool if this was a period fake, but it appears to be one of the newer 1736 gold 8 escudos replicas. It also has a doubled L, but no doubling anywhere else in the field.

 

[Mackaydon]

Jim: You asked: "I was told by someone a long time ago that cobs were also made of copper and sometimes made of lead. Can this be true?"
Yes--and No.
Cobs were suppose to be about 94% silver (later reduced somewhat). The balance of the coin was composed of copper (usually) and sometimes iron and other metals. Lead coins I associate (with distaste) to reproductions.
Don.....

 

[jimb]

Thanks Cuzco and Mack, I should have an expert check it out. But it does seem to be a fake to me.

 

[Trez]

Thanks Cuzco and Mack, I should have an expert check it out. But it does seem to be a fake to me.

Go with your gut feeling on this one.....as it pertains with the last part of your sentence above.

Trez

 

[Zephyr]

Oh, it's that 1736 "replica" again. Looks like someone made a lead copy of one this time....

 

[Iron Patch]

Jim: You asked: "I was told by someone a long time ago that cobs were also made of copper and sometimes made of lead. Can this be true?"
Yes--and No.
Cobs were suppose to be about 94% silver (later reduced somewhat). The balance of the coin was composed of copper (usually) and sometimes iron and other metals. Lead coins I associate (with distaste) to reproductions.
Don.....

Don't forget the contemporary counterfeits, very collectable and no rules involved in what metal was used. There was a beautiful 8 reale forgery I bid on last week on Ebay, unfortunately didn't win. (Sold for over $200)

 

[jimb]

Iron Patch, You sure know more about Cobb's then I do. I only know the basics. Most of my treasures are packed away, I have a few more Cobb's but all seem fakes. Here are some of my fake Cobb's. They are easy to tell, they all clink when dropped, no ring. The one at the top of this page ran me about $90. on eBay. The rest ran $5. and $10. I actually have some pretty good looking fake Cobb's somewhere around here.

 

[Iron Patch]

Iron Patch, You sure know more about Cobb's then I do. I only know the basics. Most of my treasures are packed away, I have a few more Cobb's but all seem fakes. Here are some of my fake Cobb's. They are easy to tell, they all clink when dropped, no ring. The one at the top of this page ran me about $90. on eBay. The rest ran $5. and $10. I actually have some pretty good looking fake Cobb's somewhere around here.

Jim, there are others on this forum that know much more than myself but what saves me is I can usually tell the difference between a contemporary counterfeit, authentic issue, and modern counterfeit.

If you payed with Paypal I hope you filed a not as described claim. Sure is a lot of replica reales and US dollars floating around for sale.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You have some very ugly "cobs" there Jimb. Gives me the shivers...