ARABIAN PENINSULA. Yemen (Uncertain). Cob 8 Reales, ND (ca. Mid-Late 1610s). Local Mint "Mexico City", Assayer Ŧ (OMF - 8 [CO vertically]). VERY FINE.27.12 gms. U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association Journal-March 2019 pg. 24 Fig. 12 (this piece plated); cf.Cal-Type 49 (dated 1607, for style); cf.Cayon-4879 (dated 1610, for style); cf.Calb-614 (for style). Crude imitation of a Mexico City 8 Reales with the arms of Spain in the style of early Philip III. Nearly complete shield, bold mint mark, assayers letter and denomination, no legend. Nearly complete cross, lions and castles, no legend. Areas of slight surface porosity noted for accuracy. A strongVERY/strong strongRARE/strong, highly interesting and significant imitation certain to pique the interest of even the most advanced cob collectors.The style of manufacture is identical to that of legitimate Spanish pieces of eight, two corresponding beveled edges, rounded edges of a poured silver strap, and two corresponding cut edges, sheer marks where it was cut to weight. Severe obverse die degradation and linking of the reverse die to the other imitative cob also in the sale (U.S. Mex Journal fig. 13), with a die chip at the left-hand base of castle in upper left quadrant, coupled with the good quality metal (Ag [Silver]: 93.18%; Cu [Copper]: 6.51%; Pb [Lead]: 0.31%, and other trace elements) is suggestive of significant production. The lack of legends could be due to the nature of local manufacture in a primarily Islamic region where Latin legends were unfamiliar.From the Kyle Ponterio Collection.With PCGS "Counterfeit" ticket.
