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 Replies: 12 / Views: 9,874 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Hi All! I've had this coin for a while now, I have no idea if its real/fake but I would love to know the origin if anyone knows. Thank you :)   |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3692 Posts |
Looks cast. I doubt real people ever used money. A Mayan coin wouldn't use the Spanish language even if they had a monetary system.
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
True. Thanks for the input
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
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Valued Member
Canada
129 Posts |
I wouldn't know enough to say anything about this coin but I like it
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
The one side depicts the Aztec "sun stone," or "calendar stone." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_calendar_stoneUnearthed in Mexico City in 1790, it has since become incorporated into folk art, and features on many souvenir tokens and medallions. The Popol Vuh, however, is Guatemalan, not Mexican.  Edited by philadelphian
01/25/2014 09:36 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
532 Posts |
Just curious, is it magnetic?
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Valued Member
United States
135 Posts |
Libertad commented on it being cast. Are there no legitimate cast coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4233 Posts |
El Quiché is a predominantly Mayan department of Guatemala. Perhaps that helps.
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Moderator
 Australia
16826 Posts |
Quote:
Libertad commented on it being cast. Are there no legitimate cast coins? There are. Chinese "cash" coins are cast, as are some primitive proto-coins of other civilizations (such as early Roman Republic "Aes Grave" coins). There are also some other numismatic items, such as medals, that were originally cast. But most are die-struck. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Based off of the font, I'd say this is a modern token--probably something made for tourist shops. Mayans and Aztecs didn't have metal currency, and all Spanish coins from the time were hammered "pieces of eight"-type silver coins. The squishy sans-serif font doesn't look like anything you'd expect to see on a coin prior to the 1960s or so. Plus, it seems to be rather poorly made and contains a random line from the Popol Vuh rather than any sort of indication of value--I'd say it's a token picked up in a tourist gift shop.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Quote:
Mayans and Aztecs didn't have metal currency Quote:
... even if they had a monetary system Both of these statements are incorrect. The Mayans and to a greater extent the Aztecs, both had developed monetary systems and they used metallic currency. They both had a well-developed monetary system before the Spanish conquest which persisted among the indigenous population well after the Conquest. Here is a photo of some Aztec copper "hoe" money in my collection. These examples are from the 1350's-early 1500's made around Oaxaca. The Mayans used similar hoes, but of a different shape.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
807 Posts |
Quote:
The Mayans and to a greater extent the Aztecs, both had developed monetary systems and they used metallic currency. They both had a well-developed monetary system before the Spanish conquest which persisted among the indigenous population well after the Conquest. In my opinion, that's a bit strongly stated. Firstly, it ignores the well-attested use of cacao beans and gold dust. Secondly, and more importantly, it ignores the fact that the Aztec and Maya societies clearly fall into the class of those in which most economic activity is not on the basis of explicit exchange, and especially not of monetary exchange. Hence, the role of "currency" is significantly different than in a modern society which emphasizes money-based transactions. |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 9,874 |
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Posted 01/25/2014 12:53 am
