Denomination: 1 Real
Date: 1590-1700
Region: Spanish New World
History: During the 16th and 17th centuries, Spain became the world’s leading supplier of gold and silver coinage, thanks to vast riches extracted from the Americas. Spanish galleons transported these treasures back to the crown, but pirates and violent storms frequently led to the loss of entire fleets at sea.
These historic coins, known as ‘cobs,’ derive their name from the Spanish phrase ‘cabo de barra’ (meaning ‘cut from the end of the bar’). They were crudely struck and irregularly shaped, making each piece unique. Silver cobs were minted in five denominations: eight reales, four reales, two reales, one real, and half real.
Due to crude production, full details are rarely visible, but the 1 Real typically weighs around 3-3.5 grams and was struck in high-purity silver. The reverse features a cross, often a Jerusalem Cross with flared or barred ends. The obverse displays the Spanish coat of arms, reflecting the rule of either the Hasburgs (until 1700) or Bourbons (after 1700). Mint marks and assayer initials help identify the coin’s origin. Some major mint locations included Mexico City (°M°), Lima (L), and Potosí (P), and Bogotá (NR).
