Expert: Brad Swain - 3/20/2010

Question
Brad,
I have a question of worth on a 1788 Carolus 3 that my grandfather brought back with him from his trip in Mexico. I have been looking up the coin for the past hour and I find some that are very similar, but not the same. The front looks exactly the same as the others except for the "III" is on the right top and not the left like I keep seeing. The back however, is somewhat different. It has "Hispania Rum (dot) Rex" going around the coin on the outside. The different part of mine, is the crest. It seems to be much more intricate in design (curved and with a more in depth crown on top) and instead of pillars on the outside of the crest, it has the letters from left to right going down "R S" on the left and "1 C" on the right.
  If you can help me with that, I would be very thankful.

Alexander

Answer
Hi Alexander, it is likely a fake. What size is it?
If you have clear pictures (not over 1 megabyte each please) you can email them to me at tbirde@psknet.com.
This design is of a Spanish homeland 8 Reales. This silver dollar sized coin should weigh 27.07 grams and would contain .7859 of an ounce of silver. The R and S should be left of the shield while to the right should be an 8 and C if an 8 Reales. It likely weighs less than a genuine coin.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad