ARABIAN PENINSULA. Yemen (Uncertain). Cob 8 Reales, ND (ca. Mid-Late 1610's). Local Mint ( - 8). VERY FINE.
24.04 gms. U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association Journal-March 2019 pg. 24 Fig. 13 (this piece plated); cf.Cal-Type 180 (Toledo Mint, under Philip II for style); cf.Cayon-3954 (Toledo mint, under Philip II for style); cf.Calb1724 (Toledo mint, under Philip II for style). Crude imitation of a Mexico City 8 Reales with the arms of Spain in the style of early Philip III with the crown in the style of Philip II most closely resembling that of the Toledo mint, but could also be in imitation of early Granada, Seville or Valladolid mints. Bold partial shield with a single apparent letter "I" in the legend at 3 o'clock. Bold partial cross, lions and castles, no legend. Slight surface porosity mentioned for accuracy. Bright with a thin veneer of tone and minor surface debris. A VERY RARE, very interesting imitative issue with a great companion piece also in this sale sure to excite advance collectors of the cob series. The style of manufacture is identical to that of legitimate Spanish pieces of eight, two corresponding beveled edges, rounded edges of a poured silver strap, and two corresponding cut edges, sheer marks where it was cut to weight. The addition of an apparent obverse legend to a new die and linking of the reverse die to the other imitative cob also in the sale (U.S. Mex Journal fig. 12), with a die chip at the left-hand base of castle in upper left quadrant, coupled with the good quality metal (Ag [Silver]: 91.26%; Cu [Copper]: 8.10%; Pb [Lead]: 0.64%, and other trace elements) is suggestive of significant production.
From the Kyle Ponterio Collection. With PCGS "Contemporary Counterfeit" ticket.
Estimate: $200.00- $400.00