Description

• The Spanish Two Bits Cob (Nummis) from the New World Pirate Era (1490s) is an interesting and historic coin that was widely used during the Spanish colonial period, particularly during the early years of Spanish exploration and conquest in the Americas. These cobs were rough, hand-struck coins and played a crucial role in trade and piracy during this period.
  

  What is a “Cob”?

  • The term “cob” refers to a type of coin minted in Spain and its colonies between the 15th and 18th centuries. The coins were hammered into rough, irregular shapes, often with no clear edges and poorly aligned dies. They were typically struck from silver or gold ingots and made by hand, without the precise minting techniques seen in later periods.
  • Cobs were inefficiently struck, which meant they were often irregular in size and appearance. However, they were widely circulated in Spain, the Spanish colonies in the New World, and even in European trade.

  Spanish Two Bits Cob (Nummis):

  • The term “two bits” refers to a Spanish real, specifically two reales (a quarter of a peso).
  • “Nummis” refers to the basic unit of coinage in the Roman Empire, but during this period, it was sometimes used to indicate low-value currency like cobs.

  Key Features of the Two Bits Cob:

  1. Date: Typically from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, though it’s possible that coins minted as early as 1490 were in circulation during the era of piracy in the Caribbean.
  2. Minting: These coins were struck in Spanish colonies in the New World (primarily the Americas), such as Mexico or Peru. They were often made of silver.
  3. Appearance: The obverse would typically show a crown or the Spanish king’s emblem, while the reverse often displayed a cross, with inscriptions such as “HISPANIA” or “PLVS VLTRA” (meaning “more beyond” and signifying the Spanish exploration beyond the Atlantic).
  4. Shape: The irregular, almost square or round shape with uneven edges was a hallmark of the cob coin.
  5. Denomination: As a two-bit coin, it represented two reales, a significant small denomination that would have been useful for everyday transactions, especially in trade.

  Historical Context of the Pirate Era:

  • The Spanish Two Bits Cob was widely used during the Golden Age of Piracy (circa 1650-1730), and these coins would have been in circulation during the time of famous pirates like Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, and Francis Drake.
  • Pirates often targeted Spanish galleons and settlements, which carried immense wealth from the New World back to Spain. These coins would have been looted from such ships and traded among pirates, as well as used by Spanish settlers and explorers in the New World.

  Value and Rarity:

  While not particularly rare, authentic two bits cobs from the 1490s are highly collectible today, especially those found in archaeological sites or with interesting historical provenance. Their historical significance, especially in the context of piracy, makes them particularly popular among collectors of pirate-era memorabilia.