q on pillar half reale.. 1740's

coachleonard

I'm trying to build a scenario in my mind about a pillar half reale I own that was metal detected in Virginia. It's now in roughly About Good condition and holed. It dates roughly 1746-49 (can't make out last digit). What I am wondering is, how many years of circulation would it take for a pillar spanish colonial 1/2 reale to wear down to About Good condition?

Now I know a lot of factors can be involved and its NOT an exact science--but just wondering what folks think would be a typical amount of time for such an 18th century silver coin to wear down that much. 20 years? Less? More?

DNADave

I can't support it, but I have the impression that coins (money in general) changed hands much less frequently back then, compared to today. I also belive it was used in circuation MUCH longer than coins today.

So I wouldn't be surprised if your coin wasn't lost until the early 1800's.

coachleonard

i would agree that people were more reluctant to part with silver back then--especially in America