Rights Holder:
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
COIN
Unique ID: DEV-AB49A5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
Post Medieval silver 8 Reales coin dating to 1689. The 8 Real was often referred to as a 'piece of eight' and has long been popularly associated with Pirates in literature and films. This coin was minted at the famous Potosi silver mine in Bolivia, one of several New World mints set up by the Spanish. Because the Spanish Real was a very stable unit of currency, the coins were used all over the known world. The obverse shows symbols of Spain: a cross with a castle in the top left and bottom right, and a lion in the top right and bottom left. On the reverse are two pillars, symbolising the Pillars of Hercules, or the Straights of Gibraltar. The pillars intersect three lines of text which read: Top line: P 8 VR (P= the mintmark, Potosi; 8= the denomination of the coin ie 8 reales; VR= the initials of the assayer, or person checking the silver) Middle line: PLUS ULTRA (A latin motto adopted by Charles I of Spain meaning 'Further Beyond'). Bottom line: VR 8 P (A repeat of the top line, but with the assayer initials and the mint mark the other way around)
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Exactly AD 1689
Date to: Exactly AD 1689
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 1st November 2007
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Materials and construction
Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Uncertain
Category: Non English coin
Obverse description: Jerusalem cross with castles in upper left and lower right quadrants; Lion in upper right and lower left quadrants.
Obverse inscription: Around the circumference:
..[CA]ROLV[VS]....
At the top (or '12 o'clock') of the cross: '8'
at 3 o' clock: 'VR'
at 6 o'clock: '89'
at 9 o'clock: 'P'
Reverse description: Pillars of Hercules intersecting three lines of vertical text.
Reverse inscription: P 8 VR
PLVS VLTRA
VR 8 P
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Devon (County)
District: Exeter (District)
To be known as: Exeter
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
Similar objects
Find number: IOW-EA667E
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete and misshapen 8-reales piece of Philip IV of Spain (1621-1665), minted at Potosi, Bolivia and dated 1664 on coin.
Obverse: [ ],…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: CORN-DBCD5C
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
Silver eight reales 'pillars and waves' type cob of Philip IV (1621-1665) of Spain, dated to 1658 on the obverse. The assayer's letter 'E' to…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: KENT-A51075
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: POST MEDIEVAL
A complete post-Medieval Spanish silver coin, a one real 'cob' piece of Philip II (1556-1598) of spain, Probably minted at Potosi, Bolivia, …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618