| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,232 |
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Good evening. I am looking to learn more about a 1736 8 Reales Pillar coin that I acquired roughly 20 years ago. My Google searching has led me to conclude that I am best served to turn to folks with real expertise in order to determine what I have, its authenticity (I understand counterfeits are common), and its relative condition. This coin has been sitting in the back of our safe for close to two decades and I only recently came back across it and thought I should gain some better understanding of what it is and how I ought to be protecting it (assuming it's worth protecting). Thanks in advance for your assistance in educating a novice.   |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25153 Posts |
 to the CCF, AirCooled75! I don't see any glaringly obvious signs that your 8 reales is counterfeit, although you should check it's specifications against those listed on Numista https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces15066.htmlYours is in excellent condition except that it appears to be a "shipwreck" coin from the signs of corrosion. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
|
|
New Member
 United States
5 Posts |
Thank you for the warm welcome and the insight, Hondo. I'm pleased to hear it appears to be a shipwreck coin as the dealer I bought it from claimed it was from a recent (at the time) shipwreck discovery. I believe I was provided some paper that basically said "we promise this came from xyz wreck" but it struck me as more of a piece of marketing material than any real chain of custody of the coin, but at least the story is tracking. I'll have to see if I can track down that document.
I will also take your advice to check the specifications. Thanks again.
Edited by AirCooled75
02/18/2024 08:59 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6538 Posts |
I'm having trouble with the Shipwreck thing.
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Hey Keith, could you describe your thoughts? Looking to learn.
|
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
to the Community! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Attractive coin. It looks like an authentic struck coin rather than a counterfeit. The corrosion is evident on the letters above the crown. I'll make a guess that it came from the 1747 Reygersdahl wreck salvage, which produced many high quality pillar dollars dated 1732-1744. They sell on ebay for about $1000, mostly poorer quality than yours. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
02/18/2024 4:24 pm
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Thanks, thq. I spent some time today reading about Reygersdahl and it certainly seems plausible (and fascinating history on all these wrecks). If this coin is potentially valued in the range mentioned, are there any recommendations on how I might go about protecting it or even authenticating it? Today it's stored in a humidity controlled safe by inside a soft pouch. I have some collectible cards. Is it advisable to store this in a particular hard case, or even to go ahead and have it authenticated and placed into one of the holders those companies provide? Part of me says if it's worth something, protect it, and the other part says it's been around for nearly 300 years and seen its worst days already.
Edited by AirCooled75
02/19/2024 05:20 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
Its worst days are behind it. Personally, I don't have concerns with authenticating shipwreck coins. I keep them in plastic flips, which is how the auction houses and coin shops sell them. If you want to dive into this immense field of coin collecting, Sedwick Coins is a good place to start.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
|
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
Edited by AirCooled75
02/20/2024 1:18 pm
|
|
Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
Maybe I can use the funds to dive into some less expensive coins that my 6 year old son and I can collect together. Great idea!  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3343 Posts |
The surface corrosion is a lot more evident in the second set of photos, and explains the low weight (27.3 grams as-minted). Corroded silver salvage coins are often underweight by 30%. Yours still has good details.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,232 |
|
Posted 02/18/2024 07:55 am
