August 2021 Treasure of the Month

August’s Treasure of the Month is a group of Spanish silver reales from the 1715 Fleet collected by a long time resident of Florida’s renowned Treasure Coast. Our collector was not especially sophisticated in numismatics (as demonstrated by the fact that he kept the coins in a purple cloth “Crown Royal” bag) but knew enough to obtain dated pieces (as all of the coins exhibit either a full or partial date). When and how he acquired these coins is unknown.

Consisting of eight 8 reales and one 4 reales, our small collection is a nice representative sample of larger denomination coins from the 1715 Fleet that came from the Spanish colonial mint at Mexico City. With a few exceptions most of the coins are not excessively corroded, have decent detail, good weight, interesting shapes, and as previously mentioned, full or partial dates. Here is our collection up close and personal:

1715 Dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 27.2 grams. A very beautiful piece with exceptionally nice surfaces and strong strike. Reverse shows a well centered, though incomplete cross. Also, hammer marks on the reverse are apparent. It has an interesting shape which makes the coin very appealing. All four digits of the date are present but incomplete. The “17” of the date is clear. However, only the bottom of the “15” can be seen. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this is a 1715 dated piece, which adds to its desirability.

1714 Dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 26.1 grams. A solid piece with a nice full four digit date. Some minor surface corrosion on obverse and reverse. A good portion of the shield is visible on the obverse, but has a mostly full “OMJ” (representing the mint mark [OM] and the assayer [J]). A well centered but somewhat obscured cross on the reverse. Nice rectangular shape.

1714 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 26.1 grams. Obverse shows almost a complete shield but flat details most likely due to worn dies. All four digits of the date are seen but are incomplete. Reverse has a nice centered cross and features a number of hammer marks.

(17)14 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 24.7 grams. Obverse has about 2/3 of the shield visible with a prominent “8” designating the denomination (8 reales). Surfaces are smooth but the strike is not that strong or deep. The reverse has a nicely centered cross but has much corrosion which affects a good portion of the detail.

(1)713 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 23.9 grams. Obverse is lacking in detail but does have a full “OMJ”. Reverse demonstrates a centered cross but like the obverse lacks detail.

(17)14 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight 24.8 grams. The obverse of this coin demonstrates more corrosion than most in the group. Despite that, however, most of the details on the obverse can easily be made out especially the denomination “8” and the nearly complete crown. While the date is somewhat obscured the “14” can clearly be ascertained. The reverse fared better than the obverse as far as corrosion is concerned. A nicely centered cross with distinctive hammer marks is prominent.

(17)13 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 26.2 grams. The obverse lacks detail but the “13” is clearly visible. Surfaces are porous. Reverse has a centered cross but also is lacking in detail and has porous surfaces. Not one of the better pieces in this group.

1704 dated silver 8 reales from the Mexico City mind. Weight is 26.6 grams. Obverse has a smooth surface with no porosity or corrosion. Square shaped planchet adds to its charm. The date is complete and bold. A real rarity given that the State of Florida Collection has only three such examples. One of the nicest pieces in the collection. Reverse has an almost complete cross which is well centered, although details are a bit flat.

(1)715 silver 4 reales from the Mexico City mint. Weight is 10.2 grams. Obverse is rather rough with corrosion apparent. The date (1)715 is clear. About half of the shield and crown are visible. Reverse has a well centered cross but lacking in detail due to extensive corrosion.

Posted in Newsletter, Treasure of the Month

Ben Costello

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