Spanish Colonial Coin With Countermark

This countermark does not appear in Brunk's book, but most such countermarks remain unlisted. Yours looks like it could be the mark of an early smith, silversmith, gunsmith, blacksmith or toolmaker, given its crude style within a toothed border. The style looks early and the coin was probably stamped not many years after it began circulating. Spanish coins circulated freely here, and this counterstamp is probably of U.S. origin. Attribution may be possible, but it's like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. On ebay, it might fetch $30-$40 as a curiosity, I suspect. The larger Spanish coins, particularly the 2 reale pieces were more often hosts to merchant counterstamps. Neat item!

I am certainly no expert on the subject, but it might be a merchant's mark. I know I have some mexican pieces with initials similar to that that are known countermarks of a merchant in Mexico City. Unfortunately, I can't even remember where I found that little bit of information anymore. ><