Expert: Brad Swain - 11/29/2009

Question
Hi Brad-
I have a coin that I believe is from Mexico. On one side is Vtraque Vnum with 2 flowers and a M on each side, between the l748 date. This side also has something like two towers with ribbons on, and at the top of each tower looks like a crown. Between the towers it almost looks like two worlds coming together with a crown on top of them. Looks like all of this may be sitting on dirt or a mountain??
The Back has Rex Ferdnd-VI G Hispan ET IND along the edge. In the middle of the coin has something similar to a crown, but has what looks like lions in two corners and maybe castles in two corners.   In the very middle looks like 3 little people. ? It does have a MF on the left and an 8 on the right side.
Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.

Answer
Hi Vickie, It would seem to be a silver dollar sized Spanish-Mexican 8 Reales. That design features King Ferdinand VI (1746-59). The F and M are the Mexico City mint's assayers' initials. The Mexico City mintmark is an M with a small o over it. It should weigh 27.0674 grams and would contain .7980 of an ounce of silver.
Collector value depends on date, number minted and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning. This one may be worth about $40 with heavy wear to maybe $125 with moderate wear to possibly $250 with light wear.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
The “Spanish Milled Dollar” and its fractions were the principal currency through the early 1800s in U.S. everyday circulation and were legal tender as late as 1857.
You might find similar pieces on Ebay.com for comparison. These sites are also a great info source:
http://carlclegg.com/pillars/design.html .
http://www.coinsite.com/content/faq/8RealesMilledPillar.asp .
Counterfeits and fantasy pieces mass produced in East Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe abound of Chinese and U.S. coins, and many other countries'.
Weighing it may be the best telltale of its genuineness.
Fakes: http://reviews.ebay.com/Fake-8-4-and-2-Reales-coins-from-ASIA-BEWARE_W0QQugidZ10...
Chinese counterfeit factory: http://coins.about.com/od/worldcoins/ig/Chinese-Counterfeiting-Ring/Chinese-Fake... .
Brad