UPDATE: Help! ID silver cob?

[Tuberale]

Bought this from Ebay several years ago, along with a handful of similar irregularly-shaped cob-type copper-looking objects found "eroding from a hillside overlooking the Pacific after fires" from Southern California. There appears to be a date on this particular piece, although most of them have no dates. I think the date reads 1625, but am not certain of the final digit.

UPDATE: have just cleaned the coin with acetone, on the off-chance the surface bronze coloration may have been caused from constant soil contact instead of being an actual reference to the base metal. It worked! Much more detail now available, including what looks like a C to the left of the castle reverse. Will post more pics tomorrow.

Two questions:

1. Is this a Spanish-type cob coin?
2. Any idea what kind?

Coin is almost the same size and weight as a nickel (5 grams). Nickel shown in photos is a 1943D I had lying around.

 

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[stevemc]

Re: Help! ID copper cob?

That is most likely a marvidi, I think that is spelled right. Spanish.

 

[Tuberale]

Re: Help! ID copper cob?

That is most likely a marvidi, I think that is spelled right. Spanish.

Maravedi perhaps?

 

[stevemc]

Re: Help! ID copper cob?

That's it!

 

[Tuberale]

Re: Help! ID copper cob?

Just found a website that offers some of the Nuestra de Atocha treasure (1622) for sale. This may be a coin from 1625 instead of 1623: they made off 5's then.

Starting to think copper reale possible, too. Some of the Atocha reales were 22mm diameter; this is about 24mm at the widest. Can make out now what the emblems front and back are: on obverse (side with date) emblem is a rearing lion on a shield, with the date on the far right of the coin; reverse shows a crown with a shield underneath containing a castle.

 

[stevemc]

Re: Help! ID copper cob?

Yes a Maravedi is a form of Spanish money. It is like a silver cob, but copper. Same figures as silvers.

 

[Tuberale]

On off-chance that the bronze coloring of the coin (see original photos) may not represent the actual metal, washed the coin with acetone and took the following pics.

Obverse: date on right-hand side of coin, with rampant lion on shield in the center.
Reverse: castle within shield center, with crown above. On left-side of coin, cap C. Castille, maybe?

 

[stevemc]

So it is silver?

 

[Tuberale]

Can't be certain. Spend 10 minutes cleaning with acetone, as the Q-tips kept getting dirty.

If I had to guess, I'd say mostly copper content, but may have some silver content as well. The upper surfaces have a feel of well-worn nearly pure silver, but the incused spaces look more copper even after cleaning.

Truly curious coins that have the look of age to them.

 

[divewrecks]

These postings on the Colonial Cobs web site might help you:

http://www.colonialcobs.com/forum/index.php?topic=209.msg1664#msg1664

http://www.colonialcobs.com/forum/index.php?topic=154.msg2165#msg2165

Stan