Copper Spanish cob? Need an ID

[mangum]

A couple friends & I stumbled on an early site yesterday (early for our area). My friend found this copper coin. I assume its a Spanish cob of some sort. Im hoping someone may be able to provide an ID & possible date range. I can see a 7 & possibly a 31. I did a search & didn't get a good match. Maybe it's a period counterfeit? I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[Back-of-the-boat]

No clue, but that is cool regardless.

 

[villagenut]

Just a guess here but could it be a 1 reale with the date 731, meaning 1731. I think they minted these with the omission if the 1 in the date.

 

[mangum]

Just a guess here but could it be a 1 reale with the date 731, meaning 1731. I think they minted these with the omission if the 1 in the date.

Thanks, I can't seem to find one like it though.

 

[mangum]

This forum doesn't have much activity anymore huh

 

[cti4sw]

Could be a maravedis cob. They were often made of copper, or copper alloys.

 

[smokeythecat]

Period counterfeit is reasonable, and they can be as expensive as the originals. I dug a piece of 8 once in pewter.

 

[GatorBoy]

Hmmmm... Very interesting

 

[coachbedford]

it's odd for a couple of reasons-- has the design of a Spanish silver cob coin but it's copper; also, has a spanish cross (thick and thin) on both sides which is a design element I haven't seen before. Maybe a contemporary counterfeit where someone was trying to make a silver coin out of copper back in the 1700s?

 

[mangum]

it's odd for a couple of reasons-- has the design of a Spanish silver cob coin but it's copper; also, has a spanish cross (thick and thin) on both sides which is a design element I haven't seen before. Maybe a contemporary counterfeit where someone was trying to make a silver coin out of copper back in the 1700s?

I believe it could be counterfeit. The only examples I've found that are close are silver.

 

[Bramblefind]

Could you find out how much it weighs?

It might possibly be a coin weight.

 

[GatorBoy]

I'm not going to wade into this any further then saying there's plenty of copper cob coins this one has a cross on one side and a shield on the other.

 

[mangum]

I'm not going to wade into this any further then saying there's plenty of copper cob coins this one has a cross on one side and a shield on the other.

thanks for the input. I'm starting to wonder if it's counterfeit. The copper cobs I've seen don't look like this. The gold & silver coins do have the cross & shield.

 

[GatorBoy]

I hear people talk about counterfeit all the time sorry I just don't think there's counterfeit coins all over the place.
What kind of conditions and in what type soil was this found?

 

[GatorBoy]

There's a wreck site down here from the 1733 Spanish fleet that because of minerals in the surrounding area a lot of the coins that came out looked copper or rust colored.
That happens in other places also I'm just saying maybe you should try to identify the markings without worrying about what you think it's made of

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

This forum doesn't have much activity anymore huh

That's 'cause the pay sucks. You want fast results hire a research archivist.



As coachbedford said, the cross on both sides should narrow it down. A Peru Philip IV Cob has that feature, but otherwise doesn't look the same.



It appears the backside often had no or poor strikes.

 

[mangum]

That's 'cause the pay sucks. You want fast results hire a research archivist. As coachbedford said, the cross on both sides should narrow it down. A Peru Philip IV Cob has that feature, but otherwise doesn't look the same. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1083763"/> <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1083766"/> It appears the backside often had no or poor strikes. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1083764"/>

Ha! Thanks for the help. I'm actually helping a friend so I don't think I'll be hiring anyone lol.

 

[mangum]

I hear people talk about counterfeit all the time sorry I just don't think there's counterfeit coins all over the place. What kind of conditions and in what type soil was this found?

True, we usually don't find coinage this old so I have very little knowledge about it. This was found in fairly neutral soil.

 

[GatorBoy]

Personally I would use a little vinegar on one of the edges to see how it reacts.
There's no doubt this would be a lot easier if it were a bit cleaner..
Or even white toothpaste and your thumb or you can mix baking soda and water

 

[mangum]

There's a wreck site down here from the 1733 Spanish fleet that because of minerals in the surrounding area a lot of the coins that came out looked copper or rust colored. That happens in other places also I'm just saying maybe you should try to identify the markings without worrying about what you think it's made of <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1083755"/> <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1083756"/>

I agree. I do think its copper, here's a pair of silver cufflinks and a cut pillar found at the same site to give you an idea of the soil (good)