Pawn Shop Find, Real Or Fake?

I think I'd be asking for my money back. But please wait for other comments, someone may be able to properly identify it for you

I have asked a few experts via email and both have said it is a replica. I will be going back on Monday for a refund and will let you know what happens.

It is claiming to be an 8 escudos (the large "8" between the pillars is the denomination) but a genuine 8 escudos weighs 27 grams - roughly the same weight as a silver dollar. So if it's the same size as a genuine 8 escudos but only weighs 10 grams, then I highly doubt it will be made of solid gold. A genuine cob-style Peru 8 escudos from the 1700s - a "pirate doubloon" - also sells for considerably more than the current gold price - Here's the NGC page for them.

I'm also rather skeptical about a pawn shop not knowing all of this in advance. If they handle gold and jewellery at all, they must see plenty of these, both real and fake.

You are close to West Palm Beach go to Rechant Metals 1730 S Congress Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33406
they are very honest and will give you an honest evaluation for free.

What you sometimes see from the outfits that make jewelry type repros of escudos (typically the cobs) is that they may actually be done in 14K... or even sometimes in 24K... BUT they're done smaller in terms of diameter and less thick. Additionally, if it is cast as many are, there will be trapped air bubbles within a cast planchet. Those factors can lead to a cast of an 8E or 4E that approaches this low of a weight relative to an original.

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Aside from that... there's discussion of did the pawn shop guy know better, what is he required to know/tell you... the state Attorney General?!

Um, this is a PAWN SHOP we're talking about here - not Heritage, Sedwick, an established dealer, etc.

If you want to play this game, you need to know your ish. What was the expectation here... that a pawn shop guy is just good enough to know what a genuine gold cob should present like... but just stupid enough to have absolutely no idea what such a coin is worth?

I will stop by Rechant Metals in the morning for their evaluation. The pawn shop I purchased this from is a large chain, I've had success buying genuine coins at this location. They told me I can return it within 7 days for a full refund so there wasn't much risk on my end. The receipt says 24K five dollar coin so they might of thought it was a 1/4 ounce? The clerk called it an "inget".

buffalo1

I will only add my concurrence that coin is not general. The surfaces are clearly cast, the coin is too small since an 8 Escudo was larger than a US quarter and of course the weight is far too low.

When buying gold anywhere you need to realize it is much denser than silver or copper nickel. If you simply pick up a gold coin in one hand and a silver or copper nickel coin of the same size in the other - you will know instantly that there is a difference.

Glad that worked out for you. Happy thanksgiving.