1767 Mexican 8 Reales

What is the weight? The coin "looks good" at first glance but I am concerned about the mushy look on some of the details. The shape of the features on the globes are correct but the globe is so softly struck that it worries me, especailly when the pillars have mushy acanthus and abacus but very sharp "plus vtra" features. Can you post a sharp closeup of the reverse (date side) from 4:00 to 6:00 where it looks like something cut through the design along the face of the coin? I am curious about that spot.

the above pillar dollar look good and nice.
The smaller distance between the date and the waves are common for 1767 mexico mint...same as my 1767 piece bafore.
3 fleur-de-lis at the center of the obverse are symmentrical.
Edge is normal...
For me the remaining factor to check is its weight, if its within range then you must be a proud owner this nice pillar.


A great line of thinking, that's why I seldom have my coins go to slabbing process...

The only thing missing is SG, but based on the picture of the suspect area, I see no problem calling that a struck in fin. The coin does look real and if you have owned it 30 years - it is not one of the Modern Chinese copies in silver - they WERE NOT BEING MADE 30 years ago.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

I do have a question. Did you store this coin long term in a vinyl flip? The green coloration on the high spots looks like the waxy almost wet corrosion that older vinyl flips cause. If so soak the coin in acetone and then oil it and store it in a non PVC holder.

I presume from your answer that the "green" is vinyl reaction products - not verdigris.

The acetone soak should be a few minutes on each side - enough to dissolve the green - it should go into solution quickly by simply swirling the glass. Do NOT put acetone in plastic or Styrofoam or you will be sorry. Acetone eats plastics of many types. Do not use nail polish remover with oils or scent. I buy pure acetone at the pharmacy - it is cheap. Use a glass container and cover the coin with acetone. You can swirl the liquid around in the glass. Remember acetone boils below body temperature and the fumes are very flammable. Good ventilation is a must.

Once done on both sides and all the green is GONE (you can soak the coin in acetone safely - The acetone will also remove many fake patinas as well) bathe the coin in warm water and mild soap. No rubbing. Dry the coin by patting it with a soft cotton cloth (old cloth diapers that have been washed many times are great). Then let it dry completely in the air - remember to turn it over.

Oil the coin with coin oil available from your local coin shop to keep the air away from the bare metal surface. Follow directions but keep the film VERY thin. DO NOT apply with paper towels they can scratch.

Good the green came right off. It can actually harm the coin to leave it in place - the way I understand it a chemical reaction takes place between the plastic and the copper in the coin to make the oily green slime.

I guess it removes just a bit of the surface.

I have seen quite a few with the same defect - it is nothing that would add value to the coin as long as it stays within the dentils. That is where it occurs on all of the copies I have seen. It happened as a result of a worn cutter. So if the fins got too big the weight would have been effected and the fin would have been clipped off.

But if a larger one, a really big one made it by the weight check I presume it would be more valuable especially if it extended through the legend or date. How much who knows?

I don't think there are too many error specialists in this particular series.

Both coins are beautiful.
Seems at one glance, they are easily identifiable as originals.
It is a nice thing that we get to familiarize more on 8 reales as these topics continue to evolve specially with our coin pictures and of course through the expertise of our maestro - Thanks to Swamperbob
By the way, with the above 2 coins, how much do these 8 reales fairly cost in the market nowadays? I am just curious how do they appreciate in terms of values annually?

Wow Archraz, That was a bargain price.