Collecting coins has been popular throughout the world and history. Some people collect coins as an investment others such as myself collect coins as a hobby and I started collecting coins many years ago. My interest was more in the coins itself and not so much as to the grade of the coins, though I always looked for the best grade possible within my budget. For people who collect anything; coins, stamps, art work or even rocks for a hobby, one thing that makes the hobby worth while, other than the ownership of the object, is to be able to display and show them to others.
This Eight Reale Spanish silver coin was recovered from the shipwreck “El Cazador”. The “El Cazador” was a Spanish warship that was sunk during a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, while sailing to the Louisiana Territory starting in January 1784. Hundreds of these coins were found in 1993, by a fisherman. The obverse is a portrait of Carlos III, King of Spain, who sent the ship to Vera Cruz, Mexico to be loaded with the coins. The reverse pictures Loins and Castles.
The Liberty Head nickel, is also called the V nickel due to the Roman numeral V on the reverse side. Liberty Head Nickels were minted from 1883 to 1912. Though, an mint official did produced some V Nickels dated 1913. There are only five 1913 V nickels known. The Liberty Head nickels were minted at Philadelphia, except for a small quantity minted in 1912 from Denver and San Francisco. The first type of this coin in 1883 did not have the word CENTS on the reverse, but was added on later that year. The coins was designed by Charles E. Barber. The composition is 75% copper and 25% nickel, with a 21.2 mm diameter. It weights 5 grams and has a plain edge.
The Flying Eagle Cent 1856-1858
The Flying Eagle cent that was first struck in 1856 was a pattern coin made to show to congress and some proof coins were struck to sell to collectors. An estimate of about 2,000 coins were struck for the year 1856, there were 17,450,000 Flying Eagles minted in 1857 and 24,600,000 in 1858.
The Flying Eagle Cent 1856-1858