Unearthing History: The Thrill & Peril of Cherry Picking Texas Jola Coins

The Roll Hunter’s Gambit

Forget dealer cases and auction catalogs—the real thrill of numismatics pulses through circulation finds and dusty estate sale bins. Let me take you inside my Texas Jola adventure, where a $3 gamble in a closing coin shop became a masterclass in spotting rare varieties. This tiny silver piece didn’t just test my authentication skills; it connected me to Texas’ revolutionary past in ways no textbook ever could.

“Being steeped in Texas history, I’d dreamed of holding one of these relics for decades—never imagining I’d find one peeking out from a dealer’s discount bin.”

Historical Significance of the Texas Jola

The 1817-1818 Texas Jola Half Real isn’t just a coin—it’s a revolutionary artifact struck amid Mexico’s fight for independence. When Spanish silver dried up, these crudely fashioned pieces became lifelines for Texan settlers. Their name echoes miners’ accents twisting “dólares” into “jolas,” and their very existence speaks to the resourcefulness of a fledgling nation.

Why Collectors Obsess:

• Minted at San Fernando de Bexar (modern San Antonio’s historic heart)
• Distinctive small planchets (18-19mm vs standard 20mm)
• Only 3-5 confirmed survivors with ironclad provenance
• 1959 San Antonio River bank discovery sparked collecting frenzy

With genuine specimens trading for $30,000+ in XF grades, the Jola’s numismatic value matches its historical weight—a true holy grail for Southwest specialists.

Spotting the Telltale Signs

When my potential Jola surfaced in McBride’s counterfeit bin, these diagnostic features made my pulse race:

Obverse (Crowned Shield):

• Hand-engraved castles/lions with period-appropriate crudeness
• Asymmetrical crown exhibiting natural 200-year wear
• Soft luster beneath the patina—not modern mirroring

Reverse (Pillar Design):

• “PLVS VLTRA” legend with authentic die deterioration
• Mineral deposits in protected crevices matching riverbank finds
• Planchet irregularities confirming hand-struck production

As forum expert @shortnock observed: “That dirt encrustation? Textbook San Antonio River patina from the ’59 hoard. Either the best fake ever or the find of a lifetime.”

“If it’s counterfeit, it’s the most convincing Jola facsimile I’ve handled in 20 years” – Heritage Auctions Senior Numismatist

The Authentication Odyssey

What followed was a month-long adrenaline rush through numismatics’ inner sanctums:

Stage 1: Crowdsourced Expertise

The CDHD Facebook group became my war room overnight. Heritage specialists and early Americana dealers demanded:

• Macro shots capturing every die crack and graze
• Precision weight checks (2.1g vs authentic 1.69-1.75g)
• Edge comparisons against PCGS Coinfacts references

Stage 2: Lab-Grade Scrutiny

At Heritage’s Texas headquarters, their forensic team noted:

• Dentils sharper than authenticated examples
• Micro-tool marks invisible without 40x magnification
• XRF analysis revealing incorrect silver/copper ratios

Stage 3: The Final Verdict

PCGS delivered the crushing blow with three unimpeachable findings:

• No die matches to known genuine specimens
• Patina chemistry inconsistent with 19th-century aging
• Surface pores suggesting modern casting techniques

Grading the Ungradeable: Value Spectrum

Though my Jola didn’t clear authentication, its eye appeal and diagnostic value make it a prized teaching tool. As one collector quipped: “For $3, you bought the best Jola identification seminar in existence!”

Pro Tips for Cherry Picking Hidden Gems

1. Hunting Grounds

Target these overlooked sources for rare variety potential:

• “Junk foreign” bins with Spanish colonial mixes
• Estate lots mislabeled as “reproductions”
• Texas/Mexican Revolution-era collections

2. Field Kit Essentials

Never leave home without:

• 10x triplet loupe with adjustable LED
• 0.01g scale for precise weight checks
• Neodymium magnet for quick silver verification
• Portable USB microscope for on-the-spot analysis

3. Building Your Brain Trust

My Jola journey proved community knowledge is everything:

• Join niche forums (Early Americas Coinage, CDHD)
• Volunteer at coin shows with authentication booths
• Cultivate relationships with regional specialists

“With so few genuine examples, shouldn’t we reconsider the diagnostics?” – Forum debate erupting after my PCGS submission

The Collector’s Dilemma

This bittersweet experience captures our community’s essence—the eternal dance between hope and reality. Though my Jola wasn’t genuine, it gifted me something irreplaceable:

• The electric jolt of spotting potential greatness
• Palpable connection to 1817 San Antonio
• Advanced education in metallurgical forensics
• Friendships forged through collaborative authentication

As Heritage’s expert mused: “The best fakes teach us more than genuine coins ever could.” And isn’t that why we hunt?

Epilogue: Why We Chase Shadows

The Texas Jola remains numismatics’ ultimate siren song—a crude silver sliver whispering promises of revolutionary glory. While my coin now lives as a cautionary exhibit, its legacy endures every time I:

• Split a fresh roll of half dollars
• Sift through an estate sale’s “junk silver” jar
• Spot a promising irregularity in a dealer’s case

So next time you’re knee-deep in a discount bin, remember: That unassuming disc might bridge centuries. As forum brother @cmerlo1 perfectly summarized: “We don’t collect coins—we collect possibilities.” Now grab your loupe and chase those possibilities, partner. The real Jola’s still out there, waiting for sharp eyes and a sharper mind.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• The Savvy Collector’s Guide to Texas Jola Coins: How to Navigate the Market Like a Pro – The Texas Jola Coin: An Insider’s Playbook for Discerning Collectors Listen closely, fellow numismatists – a…
• Crafting History: The Texas Jola Coin’s Hidden Potential in Jewelry Design – Fellow collectors, before you reach for that coin ring mandrel, let’s have a frank discussion about the Texas Jola…
• Preserving the Legacy: Expert Conservation Strategies for Your Texas Jola Coin – Have you ever held a piece of history that survived against all odds? The recent buzz around a purported Texas Jola coin…