What Are Spanish Cobs?

Cobs are the original “treasure coins.” Struck and trimmed by hand in the 16th through 18th centuries at Spanish mints in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia (among others), silver and gold cobs are handsomely crude, nearly all with a cross as the central feature on one side and either a coat-of-arms (shield) or a tic-tac-toe-

What is a Spanish silver cob?

The Spanish colonial mints at Potosí, Lima, Cartagena, Bogotá and Mexico City (plus a few others) labored day and night to produce the irregularly shaped gold and silver coins commonly referred to as macuquinas (crude hammered coins) or “cobs.” It is believed the word “cob” is the simplification of the Spanish phrase “

What is a cob piece?

These pieces were struck from dies and cut to weight according to the Spanish monetary system. They were called “macuquinas” in Spanish but are known to us as “cobs”. Minted in five denominations in silver, the largest was the eight reales, famous in the colonies and among pirates as a “piece of eight”.

How much did a Spanish dollar weigh?

It was minted in the Spanish Empire following a monetary reform in 1497 with content 25.563 g = 0.822 oz t fine silver.

Who used Spanish silver dollar coins pieces of eight?

the British
Unlike today, cutting money was not illegal. In fact, it was expected that to make change people literally cut the coins into eight pieces, or “bits.” Hence, the British called the Spanish dollar a “Piece of Eight” (a coin worth eight pieces, or bits), and something valued at “two bits” cost a quarter of a dollar.

How do you identify a Spanish cob?

Design Characteristics: Hand struck cob typically on a round full-sized planchet. One side has a pair of pillars with or without waves depending on the time period. The other side displays a simple shield with lions and castles in the four quadrants and with a pomegranate wedged in at the very bottom.

What is Spanish silver worth?

Silver Price (g)

What is cob slang for?

COB stands for “close of business.” It refers to the end of a business day and the close of the financial markets in New York City, which define U.S. business hours.

What is a traditional cob?

A cob is traditionally a draft type pony. Should be of a stout build, with strong bones, large joints, and steady disposition; it is a body type of horse rather than a specific breed.

Why do they call it pieces of eight?

The Spanish dollar coin was worth eight reales and could be physically cut into eight pieces, or “bits,” to make change — hence the colloquial name “pieces of eight.” The dollar coin could also be cut into quarters, and “two bits” became American slang for a quarter dollar, or 25 cents.

How much is a Spanish dollar worth in the US?

Convert US Dollar to Spanish Peseta

Which are the rarest coins?

The Rarest Coins in the World

• 1804 Silver Dollar, Class I.
• 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar.
• 1933 Saint Gaudens – Double Eagle.
• 1343 Edward III Florin.
• 1787 Brasher Doubloon.
• 1913 Liberty Head Nickel.

How much is a Spanish piece of eight worth today?

Early pieces of eight were handmade and known as cobs. Machine-made versions are of a higher quality. There are various varieties of this coin, versions of which were minted in Latin America as well as Spain. Spanish milled dollars are worth about $50 to $350.

How much is a silver Spanish piece of eight worth?

Total metal value of the 1772-1832 First United States Silver Dollar Spanish 8 Reales is USD 11.574. Total Silver content in the coin is 90% and the Silver value of this coin is USD 11.574 ,Silver value is claculated with a spot price of USD 14.88/ounce.

Are old Spanish coins valuable?

They are sold for various prices, from just a couple of dollars per piece, to several hundred for older and well-preserved coins. Look out for coin editions that have only been minted once or for a short amount of time, such as the 25 peseta coin produced between 1876 and 1889, or the 1897 100 peseta coin.

Why are they called cob?

“Cob” is an old name some people gave to spiders. Generally we call them cobwebs when “old” spiderwebs collect dust and debris in them and no longer have a spider active in them.

How can you tell if a Spanish coin is real?

First off, grab a simple magnet and hold it near your precious metal coin. If the coin is even slightly attracted to the magnet, then you know you have a fake on your hand, as metals with contents of iron and steel are the most likely to be attracted.

Is my piece of eight real?

You might not know what this valuable currency is so here’s the fascinating history of pieces of eight. Pieces of eight may sound like a made up thing, but the coins are made of silver and were an official currency for the country of Spain and all her associated colonies and territories for centuries.

What is the most valuable type of silver?

999 silver jewelry
999 silver jewelry is the closest you’ll get to pure silver. It’s called . 999 silver because it’s technically 99.9% pure silver! This type of silver is the highest quality silver you can buy.

What is the rarest Spanish coin?

Only one individual at the auction, a Swiss man identified simply as Number 74, rose to the challenge: he paid €944,000 for the 100-escudo piece, making it the most valuable coin in Spanish history.

Is Spanish silver hallmarked?

The present Spanish hallmarking system is organized on a voluntary base. From 1988 the standard mark is a rectangle containing the fineness number. and the number “1, 2, 3 or 9” just over the right upper corner of the rectangle. In 2002 the system was reformed and the alphanumeric code moved inside the rectangle.