Authenticating Spanish cob coins can be challenging due to their crude and varied nature, even when genuine . However, by focusing on several key characteristics and being aware of common counterfeiting techniques, you can increase your chances of identifying a fake.
Here’s a breakdown of methods for spotting counterfeit Spanish cob coins:
- Shape and Weight: Authentic cobs have irregular shapes due to their hand-struck nature. However, they should still have a consistent weight that aligns with their denomination, though some weight discrepancies can occur due to factors like clipping or wear.
- Design elements: Look for the characteristic symbols of authentic Spanish cobs, such as the cross, royal coat of arms, and mintmark, which indicates the coin’s origin and authenticity.
- Surface and Edges: Inspect the edges for seams or burrs, which may indicate a cast counterfeit. Authentic cobs should also have a natural wear pattern consistent with their age, not uniform or homogenous wear.
- Visual comparison: Compare the coin you’re examining with known authentic examples, looking for discrepancies in design, markings, and overall appearance.
- Consider potential flaws in genuine cobs: Bear in mind that genuine cobs could have flaws like planchet cracks, off-center strikes, or doubling of the strike due to the minting process, notes commodorecoins.com.
Advanced methods like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) can help determine the elemental composition and surface details of a coin to verify its authenticity.
Be wary of unusually low prices, limited seller knowledge, or suspicious provenance and unverified stories about the coin’s history, as these can indicate a fake.
To minimize the risk of buying a fake, purchase from reputable sources like established coin dealers or numismatic experts. If in doubt, consult an expert or use online resources such as the [Sedwick & Associates, LLC Fake Cobs Alerts & Database] or coin forums.
Due to their crude nature, identifying authentic cobs visually can be difficult. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of both genuine and counterfeit coins, and seek expert assistance when necessary.
How to tell if a Spanish coin is real?
Metal Composition: Authentic cobs were made from precious metals, primarily silver and gold. Their composition should match historical standards. Design Elements: Look for specific symbols such as the cross, royal coat of arms, and the mintmark, which indicate the coin’s place of origin and authenticity.
How to check if a coin is real or fake?
The color. Color is a unique characteristic of each coin. …
Brightness. This is obtained during minting and like color is a characteristic of each alloy.
Smoothness. Parts of the coin that are not engraved should be smooth, even and without porosity.
Wear and tear. …
Latent image. …
Microtext.
What is a Spanish cob worth?
For example, you could have the most common date range of a cob in circulated condition with average details and it might be worth $200 to $300. However, you could have a similar cob from the same period and mint in uncirculated condition be worth thousands.
What is a Spanish cob coin?
The term cob was used in Ireland and the British colonies to mean a piece of eight or a Spanish-American dollar, because Spanish gold and silver coins were irregularly shaped and crudely struck before the machine-milled dollar was introduced in 1732.