My first post here ever

GulfRasta

I'm a new poster. I'm sorry if I'm lost. I need basic help. I'm a researcher. I'm studying the funding of the American Revolution War. Specifically, the Galvez Pollock chain. I am in possession of some 8 Reales coins from this period as an example. Am I even posting in the right place?
Is the Spanish Dollar or Silver Peso even a "US coin"?
It was the best first US coin wasn't it?
Not sure.
I'm a Creole in Alabama. I think my ancestors helped make many of these coins, whose metal was taken in conditions probably not favorable to the indigenous and Native peoples.
Edit. I fixed some syntax and will try to add a picture.

GulfRasta

Maybe I should seed the responses. Did the Dollar sign come from Pollock?
" April 1, 1778 — Louisiana businessman Oliver Pollock created the dollar sign as the symbol we know today. Pollock immigrated to America in 1760 from Ireland at age 25. He began a career as a merchant in the West Indies and was headquarters in Havana, Cuba where he traded mainly with the Spanish. "
Apr 1, 2022
Grateful American Foundation

This is important in terms of the USA, at least to me. From what I understand, this coin was legal US tender under the Coinage Act of 1792 until the Coinage Act of 1857.

CoinHoarder

Spanish Dollar and Silver Peso are not US Coins.

Try this Forum:

https://forums.collectors.com/categories/world-ancient-coins-forum

World & Ancient Coins Forum

ricko

@GulfRasta... Welcome aboard. Spanish silver was used as currency in early America. Cheers, RickO

GulfRasta

I don't know if I'm replying properly. Do I move it?
Why isn't is considered a US coin?
" The Coinage Act of 1792 created the United States Mint and initially defined the United States dollar at par with the Spanish dollar due to its international reputation:

By far the leading specie coin circulating in America was the Spanish silver dollar, defined as consisting of 387 grains of pure silver. The dollar was divided into "pieces of eight," or "bits," each consisting of one-eighth of a dollar. Spanish dollars came into the North American colonies through lucrative trade with the West Indies. The Spanish silver dollar had been the world's outstanding coin since the early 16th century, and was spread partially by dint of the vast silver output of the Spanish colonies in Latin America. More important, however, was that the Spanish dollar, from the 16th to the 19th century, was relatively the most stable and least debased coin in the Western world. "
" The Coinage Act of 1792 specified that the U.S. dollar would contain 371.25 grains (24.057 g) pure or 416 grains (26.96 g) standard silver. This specification was based on the average weight of a random selection of worn Spanish dollars which Alexander Hamilton ordered to be weighed at the Treasury. Initially this dollar was comparable to the 371–373 grains found in circulating Spanish dollars and aided in its exportation overseas.[14] The restoration of the old 0.9028 fineness in the Mexican peso after 1821, however, increased the latter's silver content to 24.44 g and reduced the export demand for U.S. dollars. "

This is why I'm here. To hash all this out with the coin world.

The rest of the world might consider that particular coin the first US Dollar.

Can I close this and request a link or something. Write a new post?

GulfRasta

Moved to World coin forum.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1077023/is-the-8-reales-spanish-dollar-a-us-coin#latest

YoloBagels

It's not considered a US coin because it was not issued by the US.

logger7

Welcome.

DelawareDoons

Welcome to the forum. That looks like an el caz, eh?

UpGrayedd

Welcome, and while opinions may vary the Spanish 8 Reales also known as the Spanish Milled Dollar, the Pillar Dollar, or piece of eight is listed in the Red Book of United States Coins.

GulfRasta

Ha. I've already started a controversy lol. No problem. I moved it. I'm on a mission from God. Creoles made America on the sweat of the Indigenous people and people of color. I'm going to take this one to the world coin forum.

lkenefic

Welcome to the Forum! You will likely get mixed opinions as to whether or not the 8R was "US Coinage" or not. I'm putting together a "US Denominations" set and had some good insights as to whether ir not to include it in that set.

A recurring comment, and the research you cited, was that our own currency was based on the 8R. Obviously, it wasn't minted in the US, but the weight and dimensions, along with the purity of silver, were made to emulate the most prevalent currency of the time.

Thanks for posting!