How Can You Determine The Authenticity Of A Spanish Coin?

During the 16th to 18th centuries, a significant player in the global trade and currency landscape was the real, a silver coin originating from Spain. This coin, often referred to as the ‘Spanish dollar’ by English settlers in the American colonies, played a pivotal role in shaping international commerce. It became so influential that the English eventually embraced it as their own currency. The real, with its Spanish origins, thus became a cornerstone of world trade during this historical period.

The markings on Spanish Reales, a historical currency, serve to convey essential information about the coin. On the obverse side, you will find the crowned Spanish arms. To the left of these arms, there is an ‘R’ with a rosette both above and below it, while on the right, you’ll see a ‘I’ with rosettes above and below as well. These specific symbols are used to indicate the denomination of the coin, which in this case, is 1 real.

On the reverse side of the coin, you’ll typically find the date when it was minted. Additionally, to the left of the date, you’ll come across the mintmark ‘Mo,’ which stands for Mexico City. These markings provide valuable insights into the origin, denomination, and age of the Spanish Reales coin, offering collectors and historians important context when examining these historical artifacts.

Is the Spanish dollar, commonly referred to as the piece of eight, crafted from silver? The Spanish dollar, known by various names including real de a ocho, dólar, peso duro, peso fuerte, or peso, indeed consists of silver and measures approximately 38 mm (1.5 inches) in diameter. It holds a value equivalent to eight Spanish reales, making it an integral part of historical Spanish currency.