Spain Spanish Colonial Copper Cobs (Philip IV) 1621 to 1665

The usual go-to resource to identify counter-stamped cob coinage of early modern Spain is Maravedis.net.

The page in the link above doesn't have a 'resello' (counter-stamp) for 1649, but there are plenty of these coins that qualify as unlisted varieties.

The reason I am researching your coin as a counter-stamped cob is due to the fact that you report it as a square. There were also coins issued in continental Spain (in Europe) in 1649 - however, these were big, round coins of gold and silver, not rectangular copper pieces.

The 'P II' inscription you are seeing might be for one of three reasons:

- The coin was originally issued under Philip II, and counter-stamped '1649' later under Philip IV.
- The coin was issued in 1649, but the 'IV' in 'Felipe IV' is worn to look like 'II'.
- The coin was issued in 1649 and stamped with 'Felipe IIII', but the final two Is are off-flan.

These cob coins are very common on eBay. They are sold in large amounts every day. Eye appeal seems to be the largest factor, with wear coming second. How well the coin is cleaned also effects value.

There is a number of counter mark designs from the different mints. The more ornate ones include a lion, a coat of arms, or bust of Philip IV. The cruder ones will be just a monogram for the king's name and a date, often with a simple crown above.

Here are very approximate values for these coins:

TAINTED EYE APPEAL (like our primary picture):
worn: $1
average circulated: $3
well preserved: $20

LIKABLE EYE APPEAL (like our secondary picture):
worn: $5
average circulated: $10
well preserved: $60

Be sure to check out our Important Terminology page found at the top left in order to properly interpret these catalog values.
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