You are here:

Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Bolivian 8 Soles - is this genuine?

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/23/2011


Question

1848 8 Soles
Hello Dmitry,
I have recently purchased a Bolivian 1848 8 Sol coin but I am not convinced of it's authenticity. I am hoping you will be able to confirm one way or the other. I have attached photo of both sides of the coin and also the edge (which is both milled and inscribed). I am not familiar with this coin, but have done some basic research since receiving this one. What has concerned me are that other examples I have found for 1848 have a different head on the obverse that faces the other way. Also, the positioning of the first star on other examples I have found is under the 'U' in 'REPUBLICA' unlike this one. The coin weighs 26.5 to 26.6 grams on my digital scales and is non-magnetic. The coin looks and feels like silver and has signs of age. If not a genuine example, what metal would this be made from? Hope you can help.
Regards,
Sam.

Answer
Sam,
I believe this is not a genuine coin, though there is such a genuine "mule". The 1848 with this type of head has the reverse of the 1841 to 1846 type, but the obverse of the 1827 to 1840 type.
Genuine pieces of this date are scarce and would be worth a couple of hundred dollars in this condition. Unfortunately it is too light for the condition and the edge stamping is too crude.
Thanks for the question!

Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.