First field hunt of the season produces unknown colonial silver

[Bill D. (VA)]

Hit the first field site of the new season today, but only a small area of this huge property was huntable after the corn was recently cut. I've hunted this part of the site before with only a few turn-of-the-century finds made, so I wasn't expecting much. But out in the middle of the field I got a random signal that was in the flat button range. When the target first revealed itself I could see the edge of a small silver disk. Thought it was a gilted flat button, but I was shocked to see that it turned out to be a very thin colonial silver coin dated 1788. I couldn't see much detail due to the black tarnish, but it had an unusual design that I didn't immediately recognize. But it didn't appear to be like any spanish or british silver I've previously dug. When I got home I did a little light electrolysis which did a good job revealing more details. But I'm still not sure what this is. Can someone help with an ID? The other finds were rather paltry, but I was quite happy with the day's effort as colonial silver is always at the top of my list.

 

[steelheadwill]

Nice old Finds!
Phillip Silver Nice

 

[fishbone3d]

http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/Sp-milled.intro.html

 

[joeyfresh]

Right where you left off. Look forward to your fall finds!!

 

[Don in SJ]

Nice find Bill, silver to start off your fall season! Does not V D G appear on British coins?

Don

 

[CRUSADER]

Not British, looks Spanish/territories but I'll let others research, I'm no good with these Good find PHILIP is clear on the obv)

 

[umrgolf]

1738 phillip V half reale pistareen

 

[CRUSADER]

1738 phillip V half reale pistareen

makes sense with legend 'Philip V D G'

 

[CoilFisher]

Nice!!!

I have a small farm site too lined up. Either late Fall or early Spring, cant wait to see whats down there.

 

[umrgolf]

1738 phillip V half reale pistareen

makes sense with legend 'Philip V D G'

Extremely uncommon to find a whole pistareen in SE VA, prob 80-100 cut for every whole

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Thanks for the comments!

I got thrown off by all the wear on the coin, and was trying to force myself to see something that wasn't there. Its obviously a 1/2 reale.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very nice find Bill!

Congrats!

Dave

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

nice!!!! lookin forward to what else comes to light in that field!

 

[mcogan / L.I. Mongo Mike]

Silver is always a great start.
Nice.

 

[Oilfield Diver]

The coin appears to be a spanish reale from the Bolivian Potosi mines. Some experts out there can probably tell you more about it.

A clue shown below, this one with Carolus III on it but is a very close match.
Final Silver mint cobs produced at Potosi, Bolivia until 1773 HISPANARIUM.REX.1768 CAROLUS.III D.G

 

[dwayne sueno]

sweet piece of silver there. hope there's some more like it nearby for you.

 

[SouthJerseyJim]

Bill notbad for the first hunt of the year! Love
the spanish. Im sure we will be seeing alot more
from you this year

 

[TommNJ]

Awesome Colonial Finds!

TommNJ

 

[Kirk PA]

That is the way to start the Colonial season, Bill. I have a feeling that you will be adding a lot of Westerwald pottery and thick pipe stems to your collection as well. Must dig a pit!

Kirk

 

[Indyfan73]

nice digs let us know what the colonial coin is i have a thought but keep us all informed