1600's Spanish 1/2 Real - Need Help With Year/Type/Grade

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 1,068
TacoSalad New Member United States 30 Posts	Posted 04/06/2025 2:09 pm I inherited a bunch of older foreign coins ranging from ancient Greek to 18th century European type stuff. The labels they came with were cataloged decades ago and I have found most of them to be incorrect. The label for this coin says "Philip IV, 1/2 Reale 1692 , South American Issue? Silver 1.1 gms ~15 mm" (incorrect measurements) It actually weighs 1.45 grams and approx 17-19 mm in diameter with the irregular shape. After looking it up, I do believe this is a Spanish 1/2 Real. However 1692 does not seem to be the right year. I would place it earlier, possibly in the 1620-1650s from what I've gleaned online. Additionally it does not seem to be a South American coin from what I've seen, but I could be completely wrong. In terms of condition, I have not been able to find any sort of grading standards. Comparing to similar coins online, it seems like these hammered coins usually grade a bit better than they appear? It does seem very tough to judge. I am a complete novice with foreign coins so any insights and opinions are much appreciated! Report this Post to the Staff

I6609 Pillar of the Community United States 1231 Posts	Posted 04/06/2025 2:30 pm Don't no much about these Spanish coins but I do know they were minted in several places around the world. Which mite be what they are talking about with the South American thing. Report this Post to the Staff
tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7939 Posts	Posted 04/06/2025 4:54 pm Possibly it is Spain, dated 1652 (visible on the cross side), similar to this, but cob rather than milled: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=14139087 Report this Post to the Staff
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3343 Posts	Posted 04/06/2025 4:57 pm I can't make out a date, but in 1692 Charles II was king. The nice monogram is Philip but I don't know which one for sure. I think it's New World mostly because it's a cob. All the 1/2 reales I have are Potosi cobs. I'll take a guess and say yours is Philip IV, dateless (1621-1665), Potosi. I have a little ziploc bag full of these impossible-to-guess 1/2 reales. The monograms are decipherable but that's usually the best I can do. I have a 1660 with 2 clear dates, and a monogram very similar to yours, that cost $75. Without a date I'd put yours in the $25 pirate treasure category. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Edited by thq 04/06/2025 6:06 pm Report this Post to the Staff
realeswatcher Pillar of the Community United States 1962 Posts	Posted 04/07/2025 6:03 pm Potosi (AKA Bolivia), Philip IV... 165_ of the date is visible on the cross side. By specific style (mintmark left of monogram, rather than above), it has to be 1657-59. Visually, the last digit here is either 7 or 9. Report this Post to the Staff
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