1789 8 Reales

Yes you know the hoard. So far I have only SG tests on Zs varieties but I have been collecting pictures of all the coins as they are posted. I suspect but am not prepared to discuss a working theory on origins.

Here are some odd factors to consider:

The number of new die varieties appearing is odd.

The number of essentially MS coins from a period 1811 to 1820 is odd.

The grouping of mints seems odd.

The number of severely eroded dies is odd for a "new" find.

Since no definitive tests have been run, I am still working on a gut level. So I would prefer not to open the subject unprepared. Too many open issues that would muddy the waters right now.

The survival of the alignment arc is not necessarily proof of forgery - just proof the die was not finished in a normal manner.

I would leave the subject alone until the whole extent of the hoard is known and more tests are run.

Susuman You must have a Civil Engineering background as I do. I had not yet approached the data that way but I now believe I see your point. Since the silver in the coins varies widely in percentage and there are several possible contaminants, the three components Ag, Au and Pt expressed as a percentage of the coin's weight is useless since they do not add up to 1.00. However, if we treat the sum of the three components as if that was 1.00 for each coin (a forced balance of the three components), we should theoretically come up with a rather predictably clustered plot. I will try that if I can get the raw data on platinum from John.

I also might try different plots to see if they are of value or not. I have 50 or so detailed results here all Mexican. The other results I have are listed with each coin in the bank. I know John must have a far larger data base than I do - he has tested many specimens.

John in fact disserves the credit for the theory that Platinum as well as Gold was a standard contaminant in Mexican silver. I knew about and had been testing for gold as a contaminant for over 15 years but I was unaware of a more or less standard platinum contamination until very recently. So I have mostly 2 point data for the coins tested before I knew John.

I think an interesting plot would be for coins from each mint (or mine area) using date, Au/Ag ratio and Pt/Ag ratio. Then I could merge the various plots.

I am not at that point yet however.

Mexico City drew supply from several mines. Guanajuato and Zacatecas mines were largest and eventually mints were built in both locations to avoid shipping bullion to Mexico City. Placing a mint near a productive mine seems to be normal practice.