Piece of 8 Spanish Pirate Coin (1621-1724)

Make Your Own Medieval

$7.95 AUD 

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This coin is a reproduction of a Spanish 8 Reales coin often called a Piece of 8, minted by Charles II, Philip IV and Louis I between 1621-1724.

Made famous by the Pirates of the Caribbean series, this style of coin was minted in the South American country of Bolivia (Potosi) and Peru. The mountains of Potosi in Bolivia contained great sums of silver and the Spanish established local mints to process the silver.

Two major denominations of coins were produced. The silver coins were known as Reales (Reals) or pieces of eight and the gold coins, Escudos (Escudo) or doubloons.

During this period Spanish currency developed into the world’s first global currency because of its uniformity in standard and milling characteristics. Spanish coins were used across the vast Spanish Empire and used widely in Europe, the Americas, and the Far East.

Spanish coins were among the most widely circulating coins of the colonial period in the Americas and were still in use in North America and in South-East Asia in the 19th century. . It has been estimated that half of the coins in colonial America were Spanish reales. So popular was the coin that the original design of the United States dollar was based upon the Spanish coins of the time.

An example of the original coin is currently held in the Fitz Museum and can be viewed on the following link.

http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/East-West/east-west_5.html

Just like the original this reproduction is a large coin measuring 36mm and weighing 16.25 grams.

These coins are hand stamped by a passionate reenactor who performs historical coin minting demonstrations. As each coin is hand stamped small variations may exist adding to the hand made character of the coins.  

Made from high-quality pewter. 

Buy in bulk for significant savings.

 The price is for one coin.