Italy (Naples) 1 Tari, 1/2 Ducato, 1 Ducato (Fakes are possible) 1688 and 1689

Charles II (Carlos Segundo, CAROLVS II on the coin) was king of Spain, Naples, and Sicily, nearly all of Italy (except Piedmont, the Papal States and Venice), and Spain's overseas Empire, stretching from Mexico to the Philippines between 1661 and 1700. Charles was the only surviving son of his Hapsburg predecessor, King Philip IV of Spain.

Genuine coins are made of silver (see note about possible counterfeits below):

TARI (20 grana, GXX): 4.5 grams, 24 mm diameter
1/2 DUCATO (50 grana, G50): 12.7 grams, 35 mm
DUCATO (100 grana, G100): 25.3 grams, 41 mm

Catalog values go like this:

TARI DATED 1688
worn: $55 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $300
well preserved: $450

TARI DATED 1689 (these are more common)
worn: $25 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $150
well preserved: $220

1/2 DUCATO DATED 1689
worn: $125 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1200
well preserved: $2200

DUCATO DATED 1689
worn: $155 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $1000
well preserved: $1700
ducatos with IM mint mark (not AG/A mint mark) are very rare, worth $2000 or more average circulated

The tari in our picture comes from Numismatica Ars Classica where it sold for 200 euros (about $250 US dollars) in a 2010 auction. CoinQuest thanks Ars Classica for use of their coin photo.

Sara, you indicate that your coin may be made of copper. If it is, it is a fake. There is at least one potential fake discussed at this CoinPeople link. If you would like to send your pictures, start an e-mail exchange using the Contact button at the top of the home page.
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