8 Real Colombia Silver

1628-NRE, Colombia, Philip IV. Silver 8 Reales Cob Coin

Denomination: 8 Reales Cob

Assayer: Carlos Echeverria (E)

Mint Mark: Cartagena (NR, Nuevo Reino)
References: Restreppo-M45.3, S-C3, CT-253, KM-3.4. Very Rare!
Mint Year: 1628 (assumed by NGC probably after a die-comparison)


Weight: 26.34gm

Diameter: 39mm

Material: Silver

Obverse: Cross of Jerusalem with lions and castles in quarters. Traces of the legend recognizable, which is terminated by a star or rosette.

Legend: HISPANIARVM REX * ...

Reverse: Coat of Arms of the spanish line of the House Habsburg. Perfectly visible mint letters (RN) above assayer letter letter (E) to left and partial value numeral (VII[I]) to right.

Legend: PHILIPPVS...

The first coinage of the New World and what comes to mind when we think of Pirate Treasure are pieces of eight. These first coins, often called cob coins, were made from roughly cut planchets (blanks) by striking them with hand dies. The word Cobb comes from a simplification of the Spanish phrase, Cabo de Barra, which translates as, from a bar. After the coins are struck, they are weighed by an assayer who cuts off any excess Silver which is why most coins have some of the impression cut away. Due to this method of manufacturer no two coins are alike and many are collected for their unique shapes alone. The Cobb coin, like anything that is no longer available is becoming very scarce and hence more valuable. The few remaining Coins are the last vintage of the glory days of pirates and Treasure hunting and are fast disappearing into private hands.

Philip IV (Spanish: Felipe, Portuguese: Filipe; 8 April 1605 – 17 September 1665), also called the Planet King (Spanish: Rey Planeta), was King of Spain from 1621 to his death and (as Philip III) King of Portugal from 1621 to 1640. Philip is remembered for his patronage of the arts, including such artists as Diego Velázquez, and his rule over Spain during the Thirty Years' War. Felipe IV of Spain, 16 Maravedis, 1661, Copper By the time of his death, the Spanish Empire had reached approximately 12.2 million square kilometers (4.7 million square miles) in area but in other aspects was in decline, a process to which Philip contributed with his inability to achieve successful domestic and military reform.