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acanthite
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Joined: 08 May 2007
Posts: 261
Location: Western hemisphere
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: Spanish colonial 1/2 real |
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Many of you probably know that the Spanish 8 reales coin heavily influenced how the monetary system of the fledgling United States developed. The 8 reales coin is virtually the same diameter and weight as a silver dollar. The Spanish colonial coins went down to 1/2 real in denomination, below I show a 1/2 real from 1754, minted in Mexico City. About 16 mm diameter, 1.7 grams of 90% silver.
The obverse displays two columns flanking two globes (hard to see the detail on this coin), topped by a crown, with the legend above 'VTRA QUE VNUM'. The columns represent the Pillars of Hercules, which is the historical western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea at Gibraltar, and the globes showing the 'old' and the 'new' worlds. The legend means 'union of two worlds'. To the left of the date is an M with a circle above, that is the mint mark for Mexico City at the time. To the right is another M, that is the initial of the assayer.
The reverse displays the Coat of Arms with the legend FRD.VI.D.G.HISP.ET IND.R, which is an abbreviation for 'Ferdinand VI, by the grace of God, King of Spain and the Indies'.
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David Jones
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Joined: 15 Sep 2007
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Location: Hills of Kentucky
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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Now that is really interesting. If they had of taught history like that in school maybe I would have learned something besides when recess was.
Just what is a coin like that worth, if you don't mined me asking? I can't belive how good of shape it is in. |
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acanthite
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Location: Western hemisphere
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| David Jones wrote: |
Now that is really interesting. If they had of taught history like that in school maybe I would have learned something besides when recess was.
Just what is a coin like that worth, if you don't mined me asking? I can't belive how good of shape it is in. |
For me much of the fun of collecting is in the history, these coins speak such volumes. Just a bit of trivia (albeit math) since you're interested: Like I said the 8 reales coin forms the basis for the US dollar, but the dollar is decimal, ie is equal to 100 cents. The 8 reales, of course, is more easily divisible by 8. The US quarter is essentially a 2 reales coin. I'm sure you've heard the term 'two bits' used to refer to the quarter, ever wonder why? Because the quarter is two 1 real pieces in equivalent value.
The US never went the step of issuing a 1 real equivalent, or 12 1/2 cents, but a number of Latin American countries do have coins of that value.
The coin I pictured I bought a while ago, I'm not sure what I paid, but it was probably between $50-80. |
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imdaffy
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Joined: 06 Apr 2007
Posts: 344
Location: Moncks Corner, SC.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:50 am Post subject: |
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Nice coin and history. Looks like some nice doubling on the coin also. best, daffy 
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AdamL
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Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 540
Location: Central Missouri
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| Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice coin! Some "peices of eight" are on my list of coins to buy.
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David Jones
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Joined: 15 Sep 2007
Posts: 238
Location: Hills of Kentucky
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| Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:12 am Post subject: |
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I have allways wondered what the deal with the two bits was. Now I know. The histroy is what I like about money also. Thanks a lot. I learmed something and had fun doing it too. |
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acl864
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Joined: 02 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central NC
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| Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Here's my 1 Real coin from the same era. It's pretty worn though.
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Andy |
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acanthite
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Joined: 08 May 2007
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Location: Western hemisphere
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:41 am Post subject: |
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That's nice. Your coin was also struck in Mexico City, by the assayer M (Manuel de la Pena). I can't quite tell the date from the photo. |
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acl864
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Joined: 02 Mar 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Central NC
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:03 am Post subject: |
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It's a 1747. Thanks for the additional info. I had figured out the Mexico City mintmark but I didn't know what the other M represented.
I've got a couple more of the milled pillar type coins but they are worn even more. Just barely identifiable. I've also got some Spanish Colonials Milled Bust type coins. Nothing special by most standards but they are some of my favorite coins.
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