Spanish Silver Cob 1684-1697

[N.J.THer]

With our second little one expected in August I've been doing less detecting on weekends and more work around the house but I do try to get out at lunch time during the work week. Last night it poured so the ground was damp making what was like cement the last few days a little softer. It was overcast but I figured I could get a quick hunt in at my favorite lunch time park. I love hunting in these conditions.

How I decide where to hunt at this park is where I can find parking on the city street. This is a challenge in itself. Today it placed me by a baseball field that has produced IHs, Mercs, Buffalo's, War Time nickels and one Hard Times Token. My first target was a 1941 nickel...just missed the silver nickel. The next target was jumping from a half to a dollar signal but it was deep and the ground was to hard to dig down that far. The next target was only 3 inches deep which is usually clad but it was a good signal so I decided to dig it. Wow was I surprised when this popped out.....

This is only my second Spanish Silver that I've found in my detecting career...both this year. I thought it was a 2 Reale but then after rinsing it off I think it may be a 4 Reale with a few bits clipped off. I see at least three cuts. From looking online I believe it was minted in Bolivia. Where the date should be is one of the cuts....Is there anyway to tell what year this was minted from the other markings?

Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Right after I dug this coin my wife called so I spoke to her for a few minutes then decided to head back to the office. This was my best 10 minutes of detecting. Everytime I start thinking about looking for a new place to detect this park gives me something I did not expect.

I love this hobby....happy hunting everyone.

NJ

Update: From others posts it is a 2 Reale Spanish Cob. The Mint is Potosi and they believe the assayer is VR (Pedro de Villar). The date range is 1684-1697. (Thanks Iron Patch, Don and Wreckdiver for the info)

 

[N.J.THer]

Re: My Oldest Coin to Date - Spanish Silver Cob 1684-1697

That is a super find Kinda weird it was only 3 inches deep.
Kevin

I think that the land in this park was graded at some point. In this section the older stuff is rather shallow but in other part I find modern coins at 5-6 inches.

NJ

 

[N.J.THer]

I've hunted the area three more time but no more cobs. I even started digging all the iron signals to make sure they were not masking any good ones. Two of the three hunts I was chased out by the rain after 15 or 20 minutes but today I was able to hunt for almost a full hour. I did find a 1924 Wheatie and another coin (i think) that is the size of a penny but thinner. I will try to clean it up tonight to see if I can make out what it is.

During one hunt I hear noise behind me. I turned around to see two older men yelling at each other and one was swinging his cane at the other. Then the man without the cane picked up a large branch. At that point I hear a siren coming and they both start walking in opposite directions. The police car drove right by obviously on another call.

I thought about breaking it up then decided to call the police but the siren ended the whole thing. My fear was that if I break it up I could make a local mad at me. I'm definitely an outsider when I come to this park and when I have my Black Widow headphones on it is hard to hear outside noises. I don't want anyone sneaking up behind me for pay backs.

I hope I can make it out this weekend for a longer hunt.

NJ