Dug this coin from 1742 today. It's a giant heavy one!

[jml818]

I think this is a reale...but aren't reale's silver? Its not magnetic but very heavy, maybe copper? Its probably larger than a morgan dollar too.
Anyone can identify this? Also whats best way to get rest of crud off? I think it is in amazing shape for its age.

 

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[toasted]

Counterfeit 8 reales

 

[stealthycat]

I'm curious, how rare are counterfeits? more rare than the real thing? I mean between poor quality, being destroyed etc, they can't be common right ?

I think that's a great coin, I'd love to find it !

 

[jml818]

This is second counterfeit coin i have found back in these old woods. I also found 1853 seated quarter which was silver plated. Somebody must of had some good metallurgy skills to bang out such perfect replicas! Would this reale, even being counterfeit, date to 1700's? Why the heck would somebody go through the painstaking task of making this coin when continental currency was already in production.
Or maybe just a souvenir from a voyage abroad, who knows.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very cool coin find!

What was the VID # on the Max? Do you have the weight and exact diameter?

 

[jml818]

VID# 68
Large cents, being copper usually 80 range

 

[toasted]

This is second counterfeit coin i have found back in these old woods. I also found 1853 seated quarter which was silver plated. Somebody must of had some good metallurgy skills to bang out such perfect replicas! Would this reale, even being counterfeit, date to 1700's? Why the heck would somebody go through the painstaking task of making this coin when continental currency was already in production.
Or maybe just a souvenir from a voyage abroad, who knows.

That one could have been made well into the 1800s especially considering you found a counterfeit from 1853 in the same area. There were probably lots of worn rough looking pillar style reales still in circulation so maybe counterfeits were easier to pass

 

[jml818]

Large cent is real. I found that in same area.

 

[Eastcoasthunter21]

Cool find

 

[washingtonian]

Cool find, even if it is a counterfeit! Now for a legit one next time

 

[A2coins]

sweet you need help carrying it real or not really cool

 

[YumaMarc]

Counterfeit 8 reales

A question, and I'm not doubting anyone's word or knowledge: How can you know this is counterfeit by looking at the photo? I'm just curious, and would really like to know.

 

[toasted]

A question, and I'm not doubting anyone's word or knowledge: How can you know this is counterfeit by looking at the photo? I'm just curious, and would really like to know.

Its not silver and Ive never seen a Spanish coin like that made of copper. Far from an expert though

 

[Shorewalker]

That is super cool!

 

[CRUSADER]

The only 8 I have found was a counterfeit. Yours is a much better example - nice!

 

[Whyme]

Even if it's not a real real it's really cool! lol

 

[Trezurehunter]

Thats a great find. I would put that baby front and center in a display case.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

I'd be going back to that site many times.
The fact that you found two counterfeits, to me at least, means you have a decent chance of finding more.
Maybe that was the location where they were being produced, maybe that's where the maker threw them away
running from the law.
Much more history with those counterfeits than the average coin.
Just remember, when hunting, the fakes tend to have a much lower reading than the real deals.
I've dug two as well, one lead Morgan, and a Barber half that has the appearance of your Seated quarter.
Kudos, and keep us posted!
Carl