COLOMBIA. Falsa Época. Sub-Standard Purity Contemporary Counterfeit 8 Escudos, 1819-P FM. Uncertain Local Mint "Popayan", Assayer FM. Ferdinand VII. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED DETAILS.27.30 gms. cf.Onza-1529 (dated 1812, same obverse, different reverse) & 1530 (dated 1812, same dies); cf.Cal-Type 21 (for basic type); cf.KM-66.2 (for basic type). Contemporary counterfeit 8 Escudos struck in imitation of a 1819-P FM Colombia 8 Escudos of Ferdinand VII with the bust of Charles IV. The legends are Obverse: ".FERDND.VII.D.G. HISP.ET IND.R. 1819."; Reverse: ".IN.UTROQ.FELIX..AUSPICE.DEO. P..F.M". The style and execution is well done and fairly convincing and though slightly off when compared to legitimate issues, it was certainly of high enough quality to pass in circulation. The reverse die is shared with several different pieces of different dates and has identifiable characteristics, most notably the "X" in "FELIX" has been re-cut. A small test punch is noted on the reverse at the center top of the arms of Spain noted for accuracy. Otherwise a handsome example with a nice skin displaying pale gold color atop of the devices, lovely golden-honey tone in the open fields and light early sunset hues in the peripherals and in the crevasses. Minor encrustation is noted amongst the devices lending to its originality and desirability. A highly interesting issue with much character sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters.The linking of the dies to several different examples, but of different dates is suggestive of a significant output. The die degradation noticed on the obverse at the base of the "V" in the kings ordinal and in the field just behind the bust in line with the second "D" of "FERDND" are noticed on the examples plated in the Onza Main book, # 1529 which has that same obverse die only dated 1812 and a different reverse die and # 1530 dated 1812, but with further deterioration of the die appearing at the neckline on the right side. The last digit appears to be a 9 over 2, with remnants of the high tail end of the base of the 2 just to the right of the base of the 9. The output from this local mint must have been enormous and most certainly employed skilled engravers who were very familiar with the product they were imitating. From the John Kraljevich Collection of Contemporary Circulating Forgeries.
