Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1820 spanish 8 real

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Expert: Brad Swain - 4/12/2010


Question

spanish 8 real
Hello M.R Swain
I am new collector of Spanish coins, resent time I bought 1820 Spanish Mexican 8 real and my friend suspects that it is Counterfeit but coin weight is 26.870 gram. coin has more then light wear is it normal weight or not? also surface is not very clean, please  see image, near coronet and letter JJ my friend don't like surface, also I. Please give me any advice how can I check this coin is counterfeit or not myself, I can not send it any official organization. Thank you very much
(Sorry in this image is not my coin but defect that I sad it has exactly that my coin has)

best regards
Levan Butsashvili

Answer
Hi Levan, It appears to be a fake Spanish-Mexican 8 Reales. That design features King Ferdinand VII (1808-21). The J and J are the Mexico City mint's assayers' initials. The Mexico City mintmark is an M with a small o over it. It should weigh 27.07 grams and would contain .7858 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 $15 with heavy wear to maybe $50 with moderate wear to possibly $90 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'.
There are more fakes around than originals. Weighing it may be the best telltale of its genuineness. The grainy surface, irregular reeding around the rims and other tiny details along with the weight give it away.
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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