Shipwreck Pirate Spanish Four-Maravedis/Cob coin, circa 1659 Ref. 57MY
On offer is this interesting Spanish 'Pirate' copper coin recovered from a shipwreck and dated 1659.
This Spanish coin, a Maravidas, would have been from the reign of Philip IV of Spain, also known as Philip the Great, or Filipe IV.
This is a 'hammered' coin, which would likely have been produced either in Spain or in one of the 'New Colonies' in the Americas.These copper Maravedi were first struck in Seville, Spain, and were for the use for payment of smaller transactions in the colonies. The 'hammered' coin was produced by heating a piece of bronze, copper, silver or gold to soften it and then hammering it between two 'dies'. Each die was of iron and had the design carved into it. This was a rather primitive method of producing coins but it was used for hundreds of years in Europe. Many of these coins were minted during the reign of Philip II and over-stamped (and upgraded to a higher denomination) by Philip IV.
The coin is a distorted circle and measures roughly 19-21 mm in diameter with a weight of 2.06 grams. Even though it has been in the sea for a hew hundred years, it remains an interesting piece of ancient history.
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Price R100.00
Post R35.00
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