1802 8Reale With Th Assayer Mexico Mint, Can This Be Correct?

T-H were joint assayers on these pieces. I'll see if I can find the info.http://www.melfisher.com/Library/At.../Assayer.asp


Go down to 1803-1810

hi, I checked this site previously that you (fioti) kindly posted the link for. The coin date is 1802, not 1803.

Albert,
I did the magnet test and the was no resistance.
I did the ice test with it and a regular coin and it started melting immed.

I checked the weight and it is 26.2 grams

I am stumped?

Various assayers FM, FT, TH are reported for 1803. TH is not a match for 1802 on regal coins based on both my Calico and Cayon references. I think you have an interesting fantasy date/mint mark/assayer combination that would pass for real back in the day. These type of coins were counterfeited heavily and by many sources over the past two centuries. Starting with English counterfeits made during the Napoleonic Wars, Mexico restrikes for the China Trade, and now modern fabrications for sale to Westerners. See Swamperbob's book [Counterfeit Portrait Eight-Reales by Robert Gurney, page 363] for more. He does list an 1802 TH counterfeit with outlined eye and square base "2" in date which is what this coin appears to be. The reference number is under Class 1 [Contemporary Circulating Counterfeit], GNL#1802-O: C/R: Mo TH-001, made of debased silver alloy. The reference coin is listed as being in the Nichols Collection and was unique as of the time of printing of my edition of the book. If your coin is the next known of a Class I counterfeit, in my opinion it is worth at least as much as a regal coin. Excellent!