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 Replies: 7 / Views: 3,530 |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
585 Posts |
Mysterious 8 Reales of Carolus IIII, Lima mint 1802, where someone replaced a bust of Charles IIII (you still can see faded outline) with a bust of Ferdinand VII. It must take a lot of the time and excellent craftsmanship. But WHY ? Was it a political satire or joke or what ?  Moved to World Coins forum - Sap |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
turtleoverhead- That is very interesting! My theory is that this was carved by someone who wished to have it as a token of their support of Ferdinand VII during their Napoleonic War. If you will recall, in 1808 King Ferdinand was forced to abdicate by Napoleon, who then put his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte, on the throne of Spain as a puppet ruler. During these 5 years while King Ferdinand was under house arrest in France, the Spanish colonial administrators refused to recognize Joseph as the Spanish monarch. So all Spanish colonial coins still had the image and name of Ferdinand VII from 1808-1813.
So, in essence, I think that though there were coins continuously struck with the name and image of Ferdinand VII during this time, someone just wanted to make their own rendition of the true king, which probably served as a sort of political propaganda medal.
Also, would it be possible for you to post some pics of the reverse and of the edges? While this coin looks very much like an altered real 8, I still would be curious to see the rest of it.
Edited by Archraz
01/08/2010 3:23 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 Australia
585 Posts |
Archraz - thank you for your detailed answer. Here are the pictures you ask for:   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
turtleoverhead- Thanks for posting the new pics! I have a good feeling that this one is real. While I think that this is really an interesting coin...and may even be considered a piece of folk art at this point rather than a normal coin, I have no idea what it would be worth or how most collectors would react to it. I personally think that it is great and that it is not just junk silver or anything of the sort. I also just wonder what the three pellets/ dots/ beads in from of the King's face are intended to signify.
Out of curiosity, how did you come to acquire this coin? Was it in an old collection or something? If so, it may have had some definite significance...and may be of major historical value if it can be determined as to the true provenance of the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
585 Posts |
I bought it on ebay from a guy in Australia, I will try to ask him. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
turtleoverhead- hmm, if I had seen it on ebay I would have been a bit worried about the authenticity. But I think that you lucked out! How did the seller advertise it? Did s/he claim that it was an altered coin, a contemporary counterfeit, or just not even mention anything about the alteration? |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
585 Posts |
Arcchaz - It was advertised as:
"1802 Charles III 8 Reales with a bust of Ferdinand VII
Lima mint monogram Limae IJ - Peru -
excellent craftsmanship of 19th century - political satire or expensive gift, a unique coin in high grade"
It was in August 2008. I dealt with this seller before and always found him an honest.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
turtleoverhead- Thanks for the info! If the seller is able to give you any more information about the coin, I would be quite curious to hear what is revealed.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 3,530 |
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Posted 01/08/2010 3:52 pm
