Expert: Brad Swain - 4/8/2010

Question
I have a small coin that has a portrait facing right with CAROLUS III.DEI.G and 1774 on one side.  It is just the G not gratia and CAROLUS is one the left side of the portrait with III.DEI.G on the right side.  On the reverse there is a crowned shield with HISPANIARUM.REX.  On the left of the shield is an S and on the right is CF.  Coin is silver about 15mm dia and weighs about 1.3 grams(its in almost Fine condition).  I've looked at lots of pictures of 1/2 reals and in Krause but none have the same lettering.  In fact the coin looks like a 2 reales but shrunk! Any help would be greatly appreciated

Answer
Hi Bruce, that is a Spanish homeland 1/2 Real featuring King Charles III (1760-88). This coin should weigh 1.69 grams and would contain .0441 of an ounce of silver. The CF are the initials of the mint official and the S is the Seville mintmark. Collector value may be worth about $2.50 with heavy wear to around $18.50 with moderate wear to maybe $25 with light wear. In Almost Fine about $8.75.
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