Robert D. Mason
I found this coin Monday 12 August 2013 while field surface hunting. I won't say exactly where or what field. However, it was in the Town of Norwich. I was surely startled when I picked it up.
1774 Silver Spanish 2 Reale coin. Reale coins came in different sizes and
values. 1/2 reale, 1 reale, 2 reale, 4 and 8 reales.
Dei Gratia Carlous III - God Graces Charles III
1774
Hispan Etind Rex - Hence the King of Spain
There is a mint mark indicating this was made in Bolivia. The same coins
were made in many different Spanish colonies at the time. The Assayer's
mark is J.R.
The shield and coat of arms has two lions, indicating Spain.
I have done some reading on the Internet and found that Spanish silver was commonly
used as currency in the American colonies and even into the early to mid
1800s.
Too bad it has a hole in it, but that was a common practice, especially
during the Civil War. It might be given to a girlfriend for a necklace and
remembrance piece when a young fellow went off to war. I have also read
that sometimes farmers would carry their coins on a string so not to lose
them. Sometimes they had no pockets, for that might be something more for
a wealthier man to have.
Charles III was King of Spain 1759 - 1788
==================================
