During the 1500’s to the early 1800’s, Spain extracted billions of dollars in treasure from its colonies located in the Americas. Large amounts of silver were frequently shipped to Spain as crude coins called macuquinas, - which means "crude hammered coins," or cobs. Spanish cobs were pieces cut from silver bars cast at the mines. Each coin was precisely weighed, trimmed, then struck with hand dies. These temporary silver coins were made in a variety of denominations including 1, 2, 4, and 8 reales pieces. The cobs were struck in the Spanish colonial mints including Mexico City, Lima, Potosi, Cartagena, and Bogota. Shipments of silver cobs received in Spain, were remelted into silver bars, coins, and jewelry. The Spanish Crown received five percent of all treasure. Wrecks and Pirates: Over one third of the treasure shipments never arrived in Spain. Ship wrecks, and piracy took their toll. Silver cobs continue to appear in treasure salvages and on beaches of the former Spanish colonies. The original four cob pieces in Our Historical Replica Sets were struck between 1652 and 1773. These four cob replicas of the original pieces. These pieces are known as the pirate "pieces of eight." The obverse of each coin show a tic-tac-toe design showing the Pillars of Hercules and waves. The reverse left hand of these cobs show a cross incorporating the symbols of Leon and Castile. Each of the coins show a star, which is the mint mark of Lima, Peru. All double sided coins are manufactured of lead-free pewter and marked COPY on the reverse to conform with the Hobby Act.

Coins on 5 x 7 Display Card, In Protective Sleeve and Suitable for Framing. Made in the USA