8 Reales - Counterfeit

Andy, it's quite likely a contemporary counterfeit. We had a thread about these counterstamped 8 reales not long ago, when I posted my example of a genuine one. In that thread was information about how counterfeiting these coins (or at least the counterstamp) became prevalent (I think...).
http://goccf.com/t/450024

Its GNL#1795-O:Aa/R:MoFM-001. The mintmark on this piece was not impressed fully into the working die. Two other examples in the Gurney Collection confirm its Mexico City. Gurney has an example that possibly was recoated again with modern silver as its XRF assay contained three rare earth metals not expected in a 18thC CCC8R.


Let me know if you are interested in selling it or post it on ebay. I don't collect GNL CCC8R's anymore and sold 95% of my collection to promote the book in 2014 but I do add some curious oddities from time to time. John Lorenzo, Numismatist, United States.

That is a remarkable coin. CCC in my opinion. I too would like to know who owns it.

This new example and uses a fantasy George III counter stamp I have never seen before. The edge is terrible with square O's and the font of the letters used is quite odd. All in all, super interesting coin primarily due to the very high grade.

Thanks to John for making the attribution with the GNL 1795 Aa/FM-001. I have not dragged out my original pictures to make a final detailed confirmation, but on a quick look it appears correct.

I have almost 200 more of the Counterfeit Portrait 8 Reales in my collection than when I did the book with John Lorenzo and Gord Nichols. So, if I live long enough, I will do an update, but meanwhile I am still plodding along working on a Cap and Ray 8 Reales book. Far more weird designs in that series and many very complex families of dies are involved. I am approaching 3,000 different varieties.

It's ended up on ebay.uk.

Had I noticed that auction - I for one would have raised the bid. The coin is a rather rare item and should have gone well over $300 perhaps over $500. As I noted above intact examples of the Birmingham series of counterfeits are very hard to find and in this case a George III counterstamp was used that was a new variety.