Identify cob, fake or ?

[maipenrai]

I bought this cob at an auction, (in Thailand), and not knowing anything about cob's, took a chance on it being real. It had some kind of certificate with it, and a booklet about the story of the wreck where it supposedly came from, off the coast of England. Misplaced the paperwork, so dont have much info on it now.

The weight is 22.58 g, and for some reason, one end of looks like it has been hammered, to hide something, or just someone that didnt know what they were doing? My neighbor, who is a jeweler says its silver, but that it was cast, by the look of the bubbles, although I cant see any casting marks around the edge.Is it possible that the corrosion from the salt water caused these pock marks? Just hoping! If its a fake, is it a known fake, modern or older fake? I would guess that the previous owner did not know it was a fake either, but just passed it on.

Sorry for the low quality photos.

Thank you!

 

[Diver_Down]

It's real. Mexico City - 8R - Assayer: Martin Lopez (1677-1701). Minted during the reign of Charles II. There is no evidence of the House of Bourbon shield within the Hapsburg Shield so it would pre-date Philip V (1st period). Martin Lopez held position of assayer during both.

The loss of weight is attributed to corrosion. The "casting bubbles" are not bubbles, but the pock-marks caused from corrosion. Without the paperwork and provenance, it is just another sea-salvaged 8R cob.

 

[stevemc]

I agree, definite Mexico mint with the ball at end of cross arm, and a perfect L, I would also say Charles II. Does seem to have been beat on some on the one end. Hard to say it is not a fake, as many have been made that can fool, if not scrutinized very closely-seams on side from casting, finding another exact copy usually best way to see fakes. Weight is light, but could have been clipped, the slight sea corrosion doesnt seem to be bad enough for 5-6 gram loss. Maybe the clip was where the hammering was to hide it. But it does seem to be genuine, so keep it as real and enjoy it. edit- in looking at all 3 pics, it does seem to have been clipped, I can see normal edges, but the bottom on all top pics, which would be top of coin, top of shield, has a straight but rough edge, with sharp edge. Looks to have been clipped somewhere along its old life.

 

[maipenrai]

Thanks a lot for your feedback, I can sleep a bit better now. I felt kind of stupid, after buying it, since I didnt inspect it very well, and wouldnt know what to look for anyway, except the obvious seams. Was clipping normal, and if so, why make such a mess of it?

 

[divewrecks]

"Clipping" was a routine production practice at the mint to adjust cob coin weights to specified minimums. It was also a technique employed by unscrupulous individuals who saw an opportunity for profit during the circulating life of a coin. As far as "making a mess out of it", the profile of the cob pictured is typical of production at the Mexican mint during the time period that was previously identified.

Stan