RARE ATOCHA PERIOD POTOSI MINT B ASSAYER 1/2 REALE Start Price USD 59.00 Current Price USD 59.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, September 27, 2008 End Time Sunday, October 19, 2008 Location Leesville, South Carolina See more about 'RARE ATOCHA PERIOD POTOSI MINT B ASSAYER 1/2 REALE ' Description THIS SILVER PIECE OF EIGHT WAS MINTED BY JUAN BALLESTEROS DURING THE REIGN OF PHILLIP II OF SPAIN. IT WAS MINTED AT THE POTOSI MINT AND BEARS THE MONOGRAM OF PHILLIP ON THE OBVERSE. TO THE LEFT OF THE MONOGRAM IS THE P MINTMARK AND B ASSAYER'S MARK. A PORTION OF THE LEGEND "PHILLIPVS. D. G." CAN BE SEEN ON THE RIM. THE REVERSE FEATURES THE CRUSADER'S CROSS. THESE SMALL COINS (15 MM., A BIT SMALLER THAN A DIME) DIDN'T SURVIVE WELL OVER THE YEARS, AND IT IS SCARCE TO SEE ONE WITH AN EASILY VISIBLE MINT AND ASSAYER'S MARK. THE COIN WEIGHS 1.55 GRAMS. THERE WERE NO ONE-HALF REALES ON THE ATOCHA, BUT THIS ONE COULD HAVE BEEN. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE ATOCHA.COM OR MEL FISHER AND HIS TREASURE OF SILVER REALES AND GOLD ESCUDOS FROM THE ATOCHA, MARGARITA, AND 1715 SPANISH PLATE FLEET, NOT TO MENTION HIS OTHER NAUTICAL AND MARITIME ARTIFACTS. DON'T FORGET, PRIORITY SHIPPING IS FREE IN THE CONTINENTAL U.SCheck out my other items!Be sure to add me to your favorites list! Place a Bid!