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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,175 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
So my friend recently asked me (as the local gold expert) about a gold piece that he inherited and I want your opinion. I am not sure if it is a bar or a coin. It says "Pure Gold" in Spanish and "Bank of Peru" in Spanish too. The piece is a triangle weighs about 43g. The year on the back is 1721. Any thoughts? What would be the value of it? Thank you!    *** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***Edited by awab
12/15/2014 11:28 pm
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Moderator
 United States
14463 Posts |
Can you make the image larger?
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I have moved your thread to the token section, because I am not sure that is actually a coin.
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
In 1721 Peru was still a Spanish colony. Would rather suspect the 1721 to be a serial number than the year (wonder when the Banko de Peru was founded). Might be some sort of bullion.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
That weight seems light relative to its size, plus it looks rather dull. Also, I'd expect a genuine gold piece from the 18th century to be assay marked, not just labeled "solid gold" - a determintion of its specific gravity would be definitive, but my first impression is that this is some sort of advertising/promotional item of much more recent origin than 1721 (which, while I haven't thoroughly researched the matter, might be the year of the founding of the original Bank of Peru).
Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
12/15/2014 11:57 pm
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
Thank you guys for the comments. So I am thinking the verdict is that this is not a coin? And does it seem original? Also, how much would you value it for? I wish I had the piece to inspect it my self but my friend lives far away and he just sent me pictures.
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Moderator
Australia
16850 Posts |
It definitely is not a coin. Whatever the number "1721" is supposed to be, it's definitely not the date of manufacture. The style of the object is completely wrong for an object from the 1700s.
I would also point out that the Spanish word for "bank" is "banco", not "banko". So whatever the language is supposed to be, it's not Spanish.
A Google search for the exact phrase "banko del peru" turns up nothing except other people with one of these objects they wanted identifying and/or valuing. Several of these people appear to be in eastern Europe; "banko" is not a word in Spanish, but it is a word in Lithuanian; the piece might be eastern European in origin. There's also a Filipino blogger with one; "banko" is also a Filipino word, so that might be perhaps a more probable origin.
You'd really have to get it tested to find out whether it really is gold or not. Given the rather crude design of the piece, my assumption would be "not" until it proves itself otherwise. If it does test positive for gold, I can't see it being worth anything more than bullion value.
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
1390 Posts |
Quote:
I would also point out that the Spanish word for "bank" is "banco", not "banko". The Portuguese word is spelled with a "c" as well. I think that Sap hit the nail on the head with his explanation. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
Very interesting. Awab, let the CCF members know, about your search results.
Sap knows his, "stuff". Take his word on this.
Edited by bpoc1
12/16/2014 4:01 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1757 Posts |
My instincts tell me fake due to these reasons:
1. Banko instead of Banco
2. Its cast which is typical for bronze or brass cast objects.
3. Its greenish yellow color - your hand is the proper color - so probably high Zn/Cu alloy
4. Its a serial number - the numbering looks no older than 19thC - IMO
But its interesting ... the 6 pointed star ... I would volunteer to so a FREE XRF IF you could verify its origin/purpose/maker.
John Lorenzo
Numismatist
United States
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
I'll dig out my rulau latin american tokens guide later when I get home and see if its listed there.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,175 |
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Posted 12/15/2014 11:29 pm
