Description

This silver piece of eight, made in 1797 was the precursor to the U.S. Silver Dollar. King Charles of Spain's profile in soldier's dress with laurel wreath shows on the front of coin with "Carolus IIII Dei Gratia 1797" inscribed around the edge. "Hispan Et Ind Rex M 8 R T" and crowned Spanish arms between the Pillars of Hercules show on the reverse. The "chop marks" on the coin, typically added by Chinese merchants, indicate that it may have circulated in China at one time. Silver pieces of eight were legal tender in the U.S. until 1857. Coin is approximately 1 ½" in diameter. Original specimen, not a reproduction.