1687 Potosi Bolivia 8 Reales from the 1715 Fleet

Item #CC-0043 | 1687 Potosi 8 Reales from the 1715 Fleet
Mint: Potosi, Bolivia
Assayer: “VR” for Pedro de Villar
Ruler/Period: King Charles II
Grade: VF Details
Weight: 27.65 Grams

Description: This well-preserved Spanish 8 reales cob from the 1715 Fleet wreck site displays a well centered and detailed pillars and waves on the obverse, partially visible legend and crown, 87 for 1687 date, and mint mark “P” for Potosi. The reverse shows the base of the number 7 below the cross for 1687. The reverse also clearly shows a strong strike with beautiful details on the castles.  A crack is visible from when the coin was originally struck, which gives the coin the character many collectors look for in a hand struck cob from this era. This interesting piece of coinage is particularly interesting due to its date. This coin was most likely a part of a crew member’s personal pocket money, or possible in with a chest of other coins not minted around the 1715 Fleet date.

For details on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 2854292-006