This one is made of copper or bronze and is 20mm. The obverse is a profile bust right and reads PHILIPPVS IIII D G. The reverse shows what I believe is a crowned shield (don't know of what) and reads HISPANIARVM REX 1661. To the left of the shield there appears to be an 8 over the letter "R" or perhaps an S over the letter "R" with a dot underneath. On the right there appears to be the number 8 with a dot on top and bottom. Can you help identify the type of coin this might be, the denomination, mint, assayer, etc. Does anyone know what the different fields in the shield might represent? I'm attaching a recent scan.
Posted 08/17/2010 5:08 pm
Thanks Conder for your feedback. Interesting comment. This is all totally new to me but weren't the Spanish copper coin denominations measured in "maravedis" as opposed to reales which were silver? Although it could very well be a fake, I would be a bit hesitant in agreeing only because it came in a lot of uncleaned coins and was heavily encrusted with nothing at all discernible. I have to question why someone would take the time and trouble to counterfeit a coin only to sell it in a low-priced lot of uncleaned coins. I'm not really concerned with the value though. Just trying to further identify exactly what it is.
James
James
