Here's a riddle for the Forum

danglen

I received this email on my website contact form. If anyone here can figure it out from the description, I'll officially give you an "attaboy/girl".

"I have the following coin. Can you possibly tell me what Country of origin?

The coin appears to hexidecimal. On one side is written: EXANO date of either 1130, 1136, or 1138 or possibly 1730, 1736, or 1738. I suspect the latter. In the center two large columns with the following; to the left of the 1st column, the ltr P and the figure 7 directly under the P. In the middle: 8, V, 3 in that order, on top the 8, then the V and the 3 on the bottom. To the far right of the second column: looks like 2 upside down V's and on the very bottom, the figure 6. On the other side of the coin, There is writing on the outer edge of the coin that is badly worn, unable to make out any ltrs. In the middle is a large Cross and in each quadrant is the following; upper left, appears to be a unhappy face in a box. Upper right is a Lion. On the bottom left, a Lion and bottom right, another unhappy face in a box... surrounding all of this is a circular pattern of dots.... I wait to hear from you."

TwoKopeiki

Sounds like a "pillars and waves" Spanish Colonial cob.

Perhaps something similar to this:

Kal

I'd guess from Peru; Cross of Jerusalem on one side. Closest match seems to be the 8 Escudos, but that would be gold. Bolivia also featured the Cross of Jerusalem and a similar reverse

satootoko

Chances are he meant "hexagonal", as I'm not sure a hexadecimal numbering system existed when the coin was minted.

TwoKopeiki's coin looks to be either octagonal or circular with damage. It also substitutes castles for the "unhappy faces" described by the questioner.

danglen

Thanks guys. Once I realized the two unhappy faces could actually be castles, everything kind of fell into place. The Darkside Forum ROCKS!