Authentic Spanish Cob - 1/2 Reales - Private Collection - Choice fine
$2,400
Denomination: 1/2 Reales
Grade: Choice Fine
Mint: Mexico
Assayer: "L" (Assayer for 1st gold coin)
Reign: Charles II
Weight: 1.49 gm
Date: 1691
Mount: 14K Gold with emerald accent
Description: Obverse: Off centered Greek cross with visible date of 1691. Reverse: Kings Monogram for Carlos II.
History: This coin is a certified member of the “Beachcomber Series” by Shipwreck Treasures of the Keys. It has been numismatically certified as authentic to its time period. Spanish colonial coinage, known as cobs (from the Spanish Cabo de Barra, meaning end of the bar") were the primary currency of the Spanish empire east territories in the America's from the earl 16th to the mid 18th century.
They were produced in colonial mints, such as those in Mexico City, Potosi (modern day Bolivia) and Lima, to quickly convert massive amounts of silver and gold into spendable currency for trade and shipments back to Spain. The silver cob, famously known as pieces of eight became the first widely accepted global currency., circulating across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Due to issues with counterfeiting and clipping, cobs were gradually phased out in the 18th century in favor of more uniform, machine struck (milled) pins with a protective edge design.
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Cob-309
