Name 1
SILVER COIN 2
Name 2
/
ID number
002.365.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;ZG-937
Type of Object
Mine
Description
Short description
The object is a Shield Type silver cob coin in value of 8 reales. It is of an irregular hexagonal shape. Due to wear and the production process, not every detail of the coin has been preserved. The front side (aver) is far better preserved than the back side (rever). The front side has a crowned shield and an inscription: OMD, [1]620. The stamped year is poorly preserved and located to the left of the lettering OMD. The lettering denoted the place of creation as well as the master of the mint during the period of creation. The back side has a forged cross with lions and castles.
Measures
Length 3.9 cm, width 4.8 cm, height 0.45 cm; weight: 27.7 g.
Materials
Silver, copper.
Dating
1620
Author / Producer
The mint of the master Diego de Godoy (1616/7–1634), Mexico city.
Picture attachments
Original use
A feature of the mint in Mexico was that only the silver (and gold) coins that were forged there have the ends of the cross on the rever are in fleud-de-lis. (heraldic line). The silver coin was used as a means of payment. It was manufactured during the reign of King Philip III (1598–1621). Spain and its colonies. The described silver coin was being used in the 17th and 18th century. Unique and irregularly shaped coins minted in the Spanish Empire between the 16th and 18th centuries are known to coin collectors as cobs [Sp. cabos de barra, ends of the bar]. The name refers to the production method. Smelted silver was poured into moulds. After it cooled down, it was sliced. The round, not completely round, moulded rod was used for cutting metal. The plates were then stamped into coins. If necessary, the silver coin was slightly clipped. Therefore, more attention was devoted particularly to the weight of the coins and to a lesser extent the shape and stamping quality.
Present use
The described object is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the historical collection of Idrija Municipal Museum. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display “Tracing Mercury: Idrija-Almadén”. The described object represents the characteristics and the versatile use of mercury. It can also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
The mint of the master Diego de Godoy, Mexico city.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (Tracing Mercury: Idrija-Almadén, showroom 3).
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The front side (aver) is far better preserved than the back side (rever). Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum;
- George S. Cuhaj, Thomas Michael. 2010 Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701‒1800. Krause Publications, 2011, p. 1359;
- http://www.newworldtreasures.com/cointypes.htm.
- George S. Cuhaj, Thomas Michael. 2010 Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701‒1800. Krause Publications, 2011, p. 1359;
- http://www.newworldtreasures.com/cointypes.htm.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
16. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never