What is it/ Help

Whippetdog · Jul 4, 2007

Found this while hunting for Civil War relics in Virginia. Any idea what it is?

Thanks
Gary

Chagy · Jul 4, 2007

I think I can see pillars...I believe its a a Spanish coin

divewrecks · Jul 4, 2007

Definitely Spanish, and from the Potosi mint. If i squint I would make it out to be a 1761, but would need more detail to be sure. How much does the coin weigh and how large is it? Excellent find - I am jealous.

Stan

Chagy · Jul 4, 2007

it sure looks like a 61 on top of the waves....but where it appears to be a "P" is where the assayer mark goes (on the top right) the mint mark goes on the top left and bottom right...

Chagy.......

divewrecks · Jul 5, 2007

Chagy, I was just guessing at Potosi since nearly all the pillar and waves coins were minted there. It could have come from Columbia I guess, but that would be doubtful. Best of luck hunting! Stan Dilcher

CRUSADER · Jul 5, 2007

I knew these boys could help!

My date guess was some way off.

Still a very early coin for the US - NICE ONE!!!

stevemc · Jul 5, 2007

I may be wrong, but I do know they started making round, minted coins before 1761, so maybe it is 1661, or maybe another date. I have some Spanish coins that are 1750s I think, that are perfectly round minted coins. But maybe it is a 1761, but I dont think they were cobs then, I think they were minted by then. I am at work and dont have access to any books. Anybody?

Chagy · Jul 5, 2007

stevemc said:
I may be wrong, but I do know they started making round, minted coins before 1761, so maybe it is 1661, or maybe another date. I have some Spanish coins that are 1750s I think, that are perfectly round minted coins. But maybe it is a 1761, but I dont think they were cobs then, I think they were minted by then. I am at work and dont have access to any books. Anybody?

You may be right....I believe the last year of the shield coins was in 1652 they were called transition coins so it could be 1661......Maybe Trez can ID it.....

Chagy......

Trez · Jul 5, 2007

looks like 2 digits in the date space......

61 - stood for 1661
if date was 1761 would have been 761 showing. (3 digits)

nice snag......

Trez

divewrecks · Jul 5, 2007

Trez and Chagy are right. 1661, not 1761 which I actually mis-typed in my earlier post. My bad. Thanks for clarifying things guys. Stan Dilcher

Whippetdog · Jul 5, 2007

I did more research on the net after getting a lot of help from you guys. It is 1661. Wow! I did not even realize what I had found. I was hunting for Civil War Relics in an area of a battle.

It is about 3/4 in in diameter. Not sure of weight. extremely light though. Check out the link. I think this is close to what it is.

www.newworldtreasure.com Look under Spanish Cobs and it is really close to item number 5349 except it is about half that size.

What do you guys think?

Thanks
Gary

This picture was pulled off the link. I is not the one I found

divewrecks · Jul 5, 2007

Not as rare an occurence as you might think. Spanish colonial coins were the world standard trade currency in the olden days. The hand struck cob coin you found was surpassed in 1732 by round screw imprinted (pillar dollar) coins with what I will call a "reeded" periphery to prevent shaving.

I am not sure of the denomination of the coin you have (because of no scale or weight), but I'm guessing its a 2 reale. Could be a 4 though.

Worth probably only $40, but I would keep it and be proud of it for sure. Hell, pierce it and wear it as a trophy! The other coin (1690) you pictured I would guess to be worth around $350. It is a well struck example. It takes awhile for the crudeness of cob coins to become a passion - then you realize that no two are alike and personal judgements on a coin take off from there.

Go Find More - Post Em Here!

Stan Dilcher

Whippetdog · Jul 6, 2007

Thanks Stan, Good info. I did not really think it was really worth a lot. JUst said Wow, because of the age. Haven't found anything that old before.

Gary

divewrecks · Jul 6, 2007

Gary, good to see the ace 250 pulled that one out. I have one as a "loaner" detector. When I am asking permission to hunt on a landowner's property it is always nice to say "Heck why don't both of us look around, I have an extra detector and digging instruments in the trunk". That usually does it. Also, I take the ace when detecting "questionable" areas where I don't have full permission or legal rights to hunt. If necessary I can leave it in the field temporarily or permanently. It cost fractionally less than my usual carry rig. Lets see more of that Spanish silver. Good Luck! Stan

Whippetdog · Jul 6, 2007

Stan,

great tips, I am buying a Minelab Explorer SE now so I am gonna keep the Ace as a back up and loaner just like you said.

Great idea.

divewrecks · Jul 6, 2007

Gary, ley me know how the Minelab works for you. Even though I am an aerospace engineer I feel the Minelab machines were a bit complex and didn't deliver on the bang for a buck. Personal preference is Fiser CZ-20 for wet, 1266X for dry.

Offering your back up detector will get you good mileage with property owners - if you work it right. Keep the Treasure Ace for those occasions.....Sran Dilcher

Whippetdog · Jul 10, 2007

Stan,

Will do. I contemplated the Minelab awhile as you can see from my posts. I have seen my buddy use and it is definatly a great machine. As for complex learning etc, him having one will aloow me to gain knowledge from his use. If not, I might have went another direction. I will be able to benifit from his experience with his.

I am sure I will still use the 250 now and then. It has some sentimental issues as it was my first detector and found some good stuff with it. I always have a friend that doesn't have a detector that might want to use it.

I will let you know how it goes. ::)