Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Spanish Coin

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Expert: Brad Swain - 1/8/2010


Question

Spanish Coin
I have a coing that dates to 1748 that reads on one side:  VTRA QUE VNUM M 1748 M
The other side: HISPAN ET IND REX FERDND VI D G (By the "VI" there is an M on top of an "F".  On the other side of the seal there is the number 8)

Answer
Hi Lawrence, It seems to be a fake of 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. A genuine one may be worth about $25 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

Brad Swain

Expertise

I have been a World Coin and Paper Money collector since about 1965. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have on World coins or currency, tokens, unusual or unknown pieces and attempt to give you estimates of value and historical information about them in a polite and prompt manner.

Experience

45 years collecting coins and paper money.

Education/Credentials
BA History, BA Geography - Virginia Tech

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