Authentic Spanish Cob - 1 Reales - Mounted in Sterling silver
$1,577
Denomination: 1 Reales
Date: Circa 1571-1589
Mint: Mexico
Assayer: Not Visible
Grade: Very Fine
Weight: 7.0 gm
Mount: Sterling Silver with 14K prongs and bale
Description: Spanish cob minted in Mexico city. Obverse: Florenzada cross with lions and castles in four (4) quadrants. Very bold strike. Reverse: Crowned coat of arms clearly visible with bold strike. Assayer "O" clearly visible.
History: This is a genuine Spanish silver coin that was minted in Mexico city during the rule of Philip II. The Spanish opened their first New World mint in Mexico city in 1535. From the House of Hapsburg, Philip ruled during the "Golden age of Spain" with territories and colonies in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceana.
With the discover of untold riches that were mined in the Americas, the Spanish and their mighty galleon fleets became the premier supplier of gold and silver coins for the world. This vastly increased the shipping trade and made many merchants wealthy, both in Spain and in the colonies. However, during this adventurous age, it was inevitable that large amounts of Spanish treasure would be lost on land and at sea due to pirates, storms and other unforeseen misfortunes. Spanish coins , known as "Cobs" that circulated in this epic era were hand struck from dies and cut to weight. Minted in five denominations in silver, the largest was the eight reales, famous in the colonies and among pirates as a "piece of eight." Cob coinage with their unusual shapes are all unique and each is a one-of-kind piece of history.
ID15663
