Is it real??

[skip_fla]

Is this real? I need your opinion. I found this today up in Vero Beach. I don't have a way to measure it until I get down to work on monday.

 

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[Mackaydon]

Skip:
I'll venture a guess that is real.
Eight escudos, Jerusalem cross, Type-3 (Sedwick) pillars, 'PVA' middle row letters (for 'Plus Ultra'--"More Beyond"); Pillars and Waves type, Assayer (M) for Cristobal Melgarejo (1709-1728)--the principal assayer for the gold cobs of the 1715 fleet. "7" and "1" legible--my eyes are too old to make out the last number but guessing another "1", so date may be 1711.
Nice find, indeed.
Don........

 

[Cablava]

On the first picture there is a brown mark which has been scratched, do not try to remove the mark this way in fact it would be better to leave the coin as it is.

Great find, and a good diagnosis by Don

Go back and get some more.

 

[PhipsFolly]

Hey Skip... I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately your escudo isn't real. I spoke with a friend of mine who has been a professional treasure hunter in the Vero Area for 20 years and he looked at you pics on this post... he informed me that it is a brass replica which had been made years ago (along with 100's of others) and was sold in "Boppy's" market in Wabasso for $3. He has one just like it. It still is a cool find though... Keep hunting! Maybe you'll be one of the lucky t/h'ers who finds a real one!

 

[99*]

I think it may have some copper in it, from the green discolouration, the deal with gold staying clean, Ive seen the discussions on here before, tough one, I hope its gold for you. Don, nice lesson thanks. 99*

 

[Mackaydon]

Skip:

An assay will determine the amount, if any, gold in that piece. If it's gold, and weighs about 27 grams (27.4680 grams was the prescribed weight of the 8-escudo) then you're well on your way to confirming the piece is real.

I have no idea about Phips Folly's comment concerning an outlet selling a (similar image) fake years ago for $3. I hope this is not the case since any sale of a replica (since 1973??) without the word COPY on either side would be a violation of the Federal Trade Commission's Hobby Protection Act (Section 304.6)--which prescribes exact detail on how large, wide and deep the incuse mark ("COPY") must be on any coin replica--before the piece can be legally sold in the US.
Don........
PS: Please keep us updated.

 

[keysync]

Hold on to it and find more. Atleast you had fun finding it even if it's fake.
Save it for future generations to look at and tell stories.

Great find none the less!

 

[PhipsFolly]

I was merely passing info relayed to me by someone with far greater experience and much more time in the area than myself. I don't know all the rules of making "copy" coins. I hope for Skip's sake that it is real! Best of luck Skip...

 

[skip_fla]

And the answer is !!!!!!!!

NO

When I got to work this morning I was able to weigh it and it only weighed in at 8.5 gm. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and comments. It was fun finding it none the less.

 

[99*]

Try saving the feeling you had as you first saw it so next time your out searching you can use it to tune in on a reale one...99*

 

[rgecy]

I feel your pain! I was on the Treasure coast hunting with my 14 year old son back in 2004 and got a good hit on the metal detector. Excitedly I pulled a beautiful Gold 8 Escudo from my scoop! My excitement didn't last long as I realized the awful prank that was bestowed upon me! I had remembered that just the day before, I had purchased a copy for him at the McClarty Museum! He still laughs and reminds me about that every time he pulls out his coin.

Others treasures have come and gone, but he hangs on to that fake gold coin he tricked me with!

Robert in SC