Calling 8 Reales Sleuths...

We have an 8 reales expert here-I forget his handle. He wrote a book.

If your scale is accurate then you already have your answer. There is no way for circulation wear to account for that much weight loss. I'm guessing it's a modern fake with artificial wear and toning.

Gusman

I am the fellow who wrote the book "Counterfeit Portrait Eight-Reales".

The coin is Counterfeit in my opinion but one that is interesting and should not be passed off too quickly as a recently made Numismatic Forgery. A forgery is basically worthless but a counterfeit is not. How much it is worth varies based on the method of manufacture.

I am particularly intrigued by the edge and what I think I may see.

The design of the coin is completely correct because it was obviously copied from a genuine coin. The edge design is wrong. The method of how the faces were copied is interesting. Did you notice the many round raised metal lumps on the surface? Under the 1 in the date, above the 7 near the edge of the bust, on the crossbar of the A in Carolus, on the reverse on the stop between the mint mark and denomination, on the stop between the FM assayer initials, on top of the I the N and the D in IND etc., etc.

This could be some form of early electrotype.

I believe it is worth researching further.

You indicate you bought it from a dealer who would take a return. Would you be willing to "return" it to me for the same amount? As long as the price is in the correct range I certainly would love to document it.

realeswatcher - do you think that is the original? Interesting that they have identical chopmarks, but the ones in your photo have additional chopmarks - the ones on his neck (perhaps added after mine was made/copied from the original?).

swamperbob - so interesting. I'd be happy to send you (logistics could be problematic as I'm in the UK). I'd send you an email but as a new user I'm not allowed to! Best way round that?

Great matchup Realeswatcher, score one for your team! Not often I see exact matches for the various "fakes" floating around the marketplace. The addition of a few extra chops was a nice touch by the maker.