1799 COIN - 8 REALES - AMERICA’S 1ST SILVER DOLLAR ORIGINAL “PIECE OF EIGHT” – CHARLES IIII – NICE! Start Price USD 24.99 Current Price USD 102.50 Time Left - Bid Count 7 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, October 06, 2008 End Time Monday, October 13, 2008 Location Vista, California See more about '1799 COIN - 8 REALES - AMERICA’S 1ST SILVER DOLLAR' Description ATTENTION COLLECTORS: I am pleased to be able to offer you a Rare and outstanding Spanish Minted, Carolus IIII coin that was minted in 1799, just 23 years after the birth of our nation in 1776. The Spanish Minted, Carolus IIII (Charles IIII), Silver 8 Reales coin was adopted  and remained our Nation’s first silver until 1857.  Being over 90% silver, world wide it often was cut into 8 pieces and used as a portion of the dollar for purchases. Hence the term “Pieces of 8”. This particular coin features a beautiful presentation box; a Certificate of Authenticity that certifies that the Washington Mint authenticates this coin to be 100% authentic, original, 90.2% pure silver and weighs 27 grams. The coin is circulated (see photos), it carries a number of silver authenticating “chop Marks” and was professionally prepared and cleaned for the collector. This coin comes from a Palm Springs collector’s Estate where the coin was found among his most prized possessions. The family says that their Grandfather paid over $300 for this coin in the 1970’S. Don’t miss this opportunity to own, maybe the exact coin, that one of our founding fathers (Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin or even George Washington) may have carried and spent in our Colonial beginning. Such coins were also among many lost to Pirates on the high Seas or lost to sunken treasures all over the world. No matter what stories this coin could tell, you today, have an opportunity to own a true piece of early American, as well as world history. From the internet:  Minted in silver-rich Mexico, these large, beautiful 8-Reales (“8 bits”) coins were the most popular silver dollar used in the 13 Colonies. On the recommendation of Thomas Jefferson, this widely-used Spanish coin was adopted as an official U.S. silver dollar, and it remained legal tender in the U.S. until 1857!                                                                                                                                                Our founding fathers used this type of silver dollar every day, and it became the foundation of our own U.S. silver coinage. The Bourbon king’s portrait on the obverse and the legendary pillar reverse have classic distinction— and the pillar scroll is probably the forerunner of the U.S. dollar sign ($). Many of these magnificent silver dollars were carried by New England clipper ships to the Far East for use in the China Trade— where they were “chop-marked” by Chinese merchants who routinely tested the silver content. Those that remained in the U.S. usually became well-worn from circulation, and today, few coins survive without chop-marks or heavy wear. PAYMENT - MONEY ORDER/CASHIERS CHECK, PAYPAL OR PERSONAL CHECK. (IF YOU CHOOSE TO PAY WITH A PERSONAL CHECK, THE ITEM WILL BE SHIPPED AFTER THE CHECK CLEARS.) PAYMENT OR ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE AUCTION OR THE ITEM WILL BE RE-LISTED. SHIPPING – FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE USA. FOREIGN BUYER PAYS ACTUAL SHIPPING FEES ONLY. Place a Bid!