BOLIVIA - COB 2 reales ? Please help with identification

Hi

If I'm correct this COB (4.93g, 23mm) is dated 1729 and it's 2 reales.

I've checked some refs but I see that my coin has ‘II’ instead of ‘2’ on the other refs.

Maybe I'm not correct here? Please help.

Jerusalem cross / Pillars and waves. I believe it to be a genuine Philip V  1729 2 Reales Cob produced at the Potosi mint. While most often listed with an Arabic 2, Spanish Colonial dies were hand cut and variations were common and are known to exist which are represented by the Roman II rather than the Arabic 2, particulary at the Potosi mint. 

Hi everybody,

This cob is curious and has given me quite a bit to think about and investigate. Although its image (cross and pillars), mint technique, weight and size would suggest it is a 2 Reales cob, struck in Potosi under King Felipe V, I have some doubts about its origins: 

a) the theoretical measurements of a 2 Reales cob are: 6.75 gr and 26 mm; I think that the “primitive” manual minting (hammering)  + clipping + wear and tear  cannot explain the big loss of weight (almost -2 gr) and size (-3 mm);

b) the “rhythm” of the sea waves below the date is an indication that the coin is from Lima  (high wave below date=Potosi; low wave below date= Lima); here two examples just to show the different “wave rhythm”:

POTOSI                                                         LIMA

c) another element which is not typical for Potosi cobs:  the three little regular dots or pearls above the value are a common sign in 1 Real cobs from Lima of that time; also lions and castles on the cross' side are more Lila-style than Potosi-style;  here an example of (unfortunately holed) 1 REAL 1733, minted in Lima by the same assayer N (3,1 gr,  21 mm):

d) regarding the value: it does indeed appear to be a Roman numeral two ("II"); but upon closer inspection, it can be seen that the left "I" is off-center not only with respect to the three dots above but also with respect to the complete figure of columns, and that only the "I" on the right is aligned with it.  It is clearly possible that 2 Reales cobs exist with the variant using the Roman numeral "II" as a value indicator. However, I have never held such a coin in my hands and have not seen it mentioned in the literature (but this is certainly not sufficient grounds to deny its existence). 

e) on the other hand, the possibility that the OP's piece is a 1 Real cob from Lima is also unrealistic, specially because of the weight of the OP's coin: 4.9 gr (theoretical weight: 3.38 g ).The excessively large diameter (23 mm) also doesn't match the theoretical value (21 mm). 

All the details explained make me suspicious of the OP's coin's authenticity. In any case, it would be interesting if the OP could confirm the weight and diameter of his cob.

And of course, opinions of other members about this curious cob would be great!!

Regards

Good point, but very little can be certain with these type coins as I have had buckets of them and consider them worth their silver content only regardless of origin  The dots do suggest Lima mint but I dont think anybody can say for certain that the type of pillars and waves is an indicator of mint origin in this case. The very nature of these crudely made cobs in South America for the King were produced in volume where quality was not the priority from the start. Hand cut dies, wearing dies with varying skill sets by the individual engraver, propensity of clipping, and age with hundreds of year wear make them particulary difficult to ascertain anything with absolute certainty. Counterfeit is also a possibility but I question why anybody would manufacture a counterfeit so crudely adding no additional numismatic value for very little gain if any if this example is indeed in the neighborhood of .917 Silver. Perhaps the OP can verify silver content and that would be the best indicator of its authenticity. Exactly where it was minted is another question. Most of the script identifiers are long gone and doubts will always linger in this case.

Thank You both for giving so much knowledge about this type of coins. Sorry for a late reply but I had some health issues recently.

Indeed when I take a look at this coin it's clear that the left "I" is off-center however these are crudely…

I can only add that I bought if from the Spanish numismatics store in a LOT so I assume that it should be genuine (of course I'm aware that mistakes happen though)…. and as ‘Harrykeepthechange’ pointed out - so crude counterfeit doesn't additional numismatic value.

I think that all the details that I can provide. I have few cobs bought together and this is my first experience with these kind of coins.

Hola Buenas No creo que sea un efecto del zoom de mi ordenador peo parece que se a usado una fresa. parece que tiene mucha arista viva u paralelas perfectas cuando el resto de la moneda esta romo.

Que decis? no me parece natural