Question about a Peruvian coin.

Mesquite

Received this yesterday. I assume it is a Peruvian dollar coin. My sister-in-law bought it off of a Peruvian numismatist at a whole-in-the-wall coffee shop down there. He was an older man who sat at a table with some coins spread out in front of him. She simply asked which of these coins would you be willing to sell to her for a gift to her coin-collecting brother-in-law. He came up with this one. What a nice gift! The obverse has suffered some abuse over the years, but the reverse looks quite good.

Question. 9 desimos fino T.F. on the reverse. I'm guessing that the coin is 90% fine silver (9 decimos fino) - anyone know what is the meaning of the T.F.?

IstilllikeZARcoins

Yes, the coin is 90% fine silver.

I think, but am not sure, that the TF is the mint assayers initials.

StrikeOutXXX

It is indeed .900% - .7234oz ASW.

The TF is the Mint Assayers Initials.

The Lima at the top is the Mint Mark.

My 2004 Krause lists mintage of 4,358,000 and Fine=$6.00, VF=$7.00, XF=$10.00, and Unc=$27.50

Given the condition/damage, I'd value it at silver value, which is just north of $12.00.

Neat coin though!

ajaan

It might just be me, but from the image it looks counterfeit, hope I'm incorrect.

Mesquite

Thank you for the information. The coin (new picture posted above) feels and sounds like silver - I don't think it a fake, but I'm not familiar with these at all. Edge shot added.

TwoKopeiki

It definitely looks cast.

satootoko

<< <i>It definitely looks cast. >>

It does indeed.

The provenance gives me very little comfort. It reminds me of the Honduran bazaar where coin sellers threw their wares on the cobblestones to demonstrate their silver "ring".

Mesquite

Interesting! The more you van tell me what to look for regarding cast vs authentic, the better. I appreciate your comments and sharing of expertise.

TwoKopeiki

Overall lack of sharpness of details, porosity of the surface, low weight... Check the surfaces under magnification - you should see tiny holes where gas bubbles were in the metal. Compare the weight to the one listed in Krause - a cast would be much lighter.

ozzysdad47

I wasn't going to say it looked counterfeit, But i agree with you guy's, It doe's look cast, The pitting and the overall poor surface's are a good indication, Not to say that it is the thought that count's, But to travel that far and purchase a coin that i would grade in G- VG at best in a hole in the wall cafe.........A purchase from one of our own Darkside Forum member's, would have been a much wiser and better choice.

Not trying to be difficult, Just sensible.....

ozzysdad47/ Brad....

I've been wrong before....... Something about It just doesn't look right......

Mesquite

Well, thank you for your input. I did ask that she bring me some Sacs - she did. She also bought me a coin (have no idea what she paid) as a gift. Her question was if I new what the initials T.F. stood for. I have thanked her for her thoughtful effort. I will tell her what the T.F. stands for, but I'll not be passing on the fact that the coin appears to be a cast counterfeit.

The coin weighs 0.9 oz (on my digital postal scale). I do think it is silver. Why would someone cast a silver coin, particulary one that is in such low grade condition. Thoughts?

ozzysdad47

I agree it doe's appear to be silver, But thing's are not alway's as they appear.