Spanish Colonial Empire – 8 Reales (“Piece of Eight”)
Date: 1808
Ruler: Charles IV (Carlos IV)
Mint: Potosí, Upper Peru (modern Bolivia)
Mintmark: P·I (Potosí)
Assayers: P · J
KM#: KM‑97

Type: Bust coinage (“Imaginary portrait” style)

This is a genuine late‑colonial Spanish silver dollar, struck just one year before the collapse of Spanish royal authority in the Americas.

HOW THE COIN READS  
Obverse (portrait side)

Legend:
CAROLUS · IIII · DEI · GRATIA · 1808
Laureate bust of Charles IV facing right
Date 1808 clearly visible
Holed at 12 o’clock, typical of use as jewelry or talisman

Reverse (arms side)
Legend:
HISPAN · ET · IND · REX · 8R · P·I · P·J
Crowned Spanish shield between Pillars of Hercules
Denomination 8R
Mintmark P·I = Potosí
Assayers P·J

SPECIFICATIONS 

Specification Standard
Metal Silver .903
Weight ~ 26.7 g  
Diameter ~39 mm
Edge Reeded / corded
Minting Milled
ASW~24.4 g silver

HISTORICAL CONTEXT 
1808 is a pivotal year:
Napoleon invaded Spain
Charles IV abdicated shortly thereafter
Spanish colonial coinage entered chaos

Potosí 8 Reales:
Circulated worldwide
Legal tender in the United States until 1857
Used heavily in Asia, the Caribbean, and North America

This is what AI has to say:
CONDITION ASSESSMENT (Based on scans)

Details visible
Portrait outline strong, facial features worn but clear
Legends mostly readable
Shield and pillars clear
Moderate even wear
Natural silver‑gray tone
One cleanly punched hole at 12 o’clock
No evidence of modern tooling or casting

This is a very fine details – HOLED coin

Important:
The hole is old and period‑style
Does not affect authenticity
Still fully acceptable to collectors of:
Shipwreck‑type material
Jewelry‑used Reales
Colonial silver

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