Bolivia, Charles III, 8 Reales
1773-1789 - Potosi - Clipped - Silver - VF(30-35)
Sold
Bust of Carlos III, draped, laureate, right.
Shield with crowned coat of arms of Spain between the columns of Hercules.
There is no known documentation to elaborate about these cut-down coins, making their existence unofficial but also creating a numismatic mystery around them. It is believed they're following some North African standards, and they were not clipped randomly, since many of those coins seen in sales comes from hoards originating from this region, as from Oran and Algeria, and with a similar shape with 4 or 5 cuts on the flan. After the clipping, those coins were reduced to 15 to 17g, by cutting around 10g of silver. It is belived that those coin, cutted with a calculated weight but without countermark or any specific shape tends to indicate a clipping done by local bankers themselves. This specimen is likely one of those coin coming from an unknown hoard, probably discovered in North Africa, since the patina correspond to a long exposure to water, even after the cleaning that has been done on the coin. See Heritage Auctions, Auction 61364, 17/03/2024, lots 21356, 21364-66, 21448-9, for similar examples and information on these little-known coins.
15.77 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
