Expert: Brad Swain - 3/9/2010

Question
hi, can you help i have come across a CAROLUS III  silver coin from 1788 and am trying to find out some more about it.
it's about 25mm in size and around 5.57 grams (it is worn)
OBVERSE: CAROLUS III . DEF . G . 1788
REVERSE: HISPANIARUM . REX
there is a sheild with no pillers on the left and right
but left side has a R over a crowned M and on the right side a 2 over a large M

Many thanks for any help you can give

Answer
Hi John, If genuine, it seems to be a Spanish 2 Reales minted during the reign of King Charles III (1760-88). The crowned M is the Madrid mintmark. It should weigh 6.770 grams and would contain .1965 of an ounce of silver.
For that year and mint there should be PJ under the 2, not an M. With that and the low weight it may likely be a fake. Wear would only take away .1 gram.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
You might find similar pieces on Ebay.com for comparison.
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'.
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