Spanish Real (Dating?)

[Blackbeered]

Hello all! Been a lurker for a long time and enjoy seeing everyone's cool finds. Well last night I found one of my own by accident. From what I can tell it is a Spanish Real probably mid 1500s. I found it along the Texas coast on a beach embedded in the sand while looking for some particular shells, thus the heavy erosion and poor condition. Would anyone be able to provide more of an exact date or other info about this piece?

Thanks guys!

 

[basque-man]

WOW! That's a heck of an eye-ball find!!! Way to go.....

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Very nice coin recovery!

 

[Zee]

Wow! Better run a detector over that spot!

 

[46Wheat]

nice

 

[The Aluminum Monster]

It's a great eyeball find. Could we see a color picture?

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nice find! Congrats!

Welcome on board T Net!

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Hopefully it's not a reproduction, but if not it appears to be a Spanish 2 reale from the early-to-mid 1500s. It's called "Charles and Johanna" coinage based on the link below. Awesome find!!

Colonial Spanish Silver - Charles and Johanna

 

[Blackbeered]

Hopefully it's not a reproduction, but if not it appears to be a Spanish 2 reale from the early-to-mid 1500s. It's called "Charles and Johanna" coinage based on the link below. Awesome find!!

Colonial Spanish Silver - Charles and Johanna

Thanks for the info Bill. I assure you it is not a reproduction and the wear can pretty much determine that. This was found miles from civilization in a desolate area. Here are the original color photos requested...

 

[Blackbeered]

Colonial Spanish Silver - Charles and Johanna

Also, I noticed on the link you provided and other very 'similar' coins I was able to research on the web that the lettering to right of the shield is the location of mint and left is the assayer. So your example is G on left, M on right (for Mexico according to your link). Well on my coin it is M on the left, and an 'I' or 'L' on the right... what would this mean

 

[Erik in NJ]

It's held up pretty well for being in the surf/sand for so long. I found a Spanish Marevedis Cob (made of copper) from ca same time frame that was IDable, but in much rougher shape than your coin. It had also apparently been in the ocean for a looooong time.

 

[Blackbeered]

It's held up pretty well for being in the surf/sand for so long. I found a Spanish Marevedis Cob (made of copper) from ca same time frame that was IDable, but in much rougher shape than your coin. It had also apparently been in the ocean for a looooong time.

Wow, I thought it was actually in pretty poor shape! At least you made me feel better! LOL Although this could be in any shape, I am simply overjoyed with the find. This area is known to have vigorous winds, currents, and tides bury and uncover things repeatedly so who knows how long it was in the water and how long it was in the sand.

 

[Blackbeered]

So... I am very curious about what I am is assuming to be the 'L' on the right hand side of the shield. Researching further I guess I'm just confused in regards to the assayer and the mintmark... as it seems like they can switch sides? I don't know if 'L' is possibly for Lima or for the assayer "Luis Rodríguez (Assayer L), 1554?-1569" as according to this pdf link... http://www.sedwickcoins.com/articles/carlosyjuana.pdf

 

[Erik in NJ]

My Maravedis Cob must have been in the water for a long time as the details were just barely recognizable--I had to have an expert tell me what it was and draw in the features, but sure enough a good pair of eyes on it confirmed it was from the 1500s! I found it with my detector near the remains of a WW II gun emplacement on a former British island possession. First I thought, wow a really old coin, then I thought a modern penny that some bored soldier smashed beyond recognition. Sure enough it was revealed to be a Maravedis Cob - counter-struck...could have even been late 1400s for the original copper cob. I was elated, even in the condition it was in, as I'm sure you are--that's a really old coin and the 1500s barrier is really tough to break this side of the "pond." You may want to check the area with your detector -- may be more out there waiting for you.

 

[Mackaydon]

M on the left and L on the right would mean Mexico City mint and Luis Rodriguez (to 1570) as the assayer; considered a "Late Series" pillars coin.
Don...

 

[Blackbeered]

M on the left and L on the right would mean Mexico City mint and Luis Rodriguez (to 1570) as the assayer; considered a "Late Series" pillars coin.
Don...

Ok, that makes sense! Thank you very much for the help everyone! Very stoked!!

 

[Ahab8]

That's a really nice find and trust me that is in great condition for a coin that's been rolling around for 450 years

 

[Scrappy]

Now that's cool. Great find and congratulations. As many have said, 1500's is a tough go in the New World.

 

[Carolina Tom]

WOW. Congrats on a really nice find. Welcome to TNet.

 

[Westfront]

Thats a great one! Congrats breaking into the 1500s!