Is Your 1733 Philip V Klippe 8 Reales Genuine? Expert Authentication Guide

Counterfeit Crisis: Why Colonial Spanish Coin Expertise Matters Now More Than Ever

When Heritage Auctions recently hammered down an NGC-certified AU50 1733 MO-MF 8 Reales klippe for a staggering $XX,XXX (including buyer’s premium), it proved two truths about Philip V-era Mexican coinage: its numismatic value is skyrocketing, and counterfeiters are watching. As Asian collectors drive unprecedented demand, these historic treasures face sophisticated forgeries that could fool all but the most trained eyes. Let me share the four authentication pillars every serious collector must master: weight tolerances, magnetic response, die markers, and surface diagnostics.

The 1733 Klippe 8 Reales: A Numismatic Time Capsule

Holding one of these square-shaped oddities feels like gripping history itself. Minted during Spain’s chaotic transition from hammered to milled coinage, these crude planchets with their irregular strike whisper tales of colonial mint workers struggling under Philip V’s reforms. The ultra-rare MO-MF assayer mark (Manuel de la Cruz and Francisco de la Peña) appears only from 1732-1734 – a fleeting window that makes genuine specimens museum-worthy. As one veteran collector lamented on the forums:

“…if this price trend continues, they’ll vanish into private collections forever”

– precisely why counterfeiters are flooding the market.

Weight & Composition: The Collector’s Litmus Test

Nothing separates wheat from chaff faster than precision measurement. Authentic pieces adhere to the 27.067g (418 grains) standard like religious doctrine:

• Circulated examples: ±0.25g forgiveness
• Mint condition stars: ±0.10g tolerance
• Specific gravity sweet spot: 10.30-10.45 (90.3% silver)

Modern fakes crumble here – 90% of counterfeit klippes I’ve examined weigh 25.8-26.2g, betrayed by their base metal hearts. Pro tip: Invest in lab-grade scales (0.001g precision). Your kitchen scale won’t cut it when six figures are at stake.

Silver’s Song: Magnetic & Purity Tests

True Spanish colonial silver has a distinct personality under scientific scrutiny:

• Neodymium magnet slide: Genuine coins resist like a cat avoiding a bath
• Steel-core fakes cling like desperate suitors
• Sigma Metalytics doesn’t lie: 900-925 or walk away

Beware silver-plated lead imposters! They’ll dance past magnets but sink like stones in specific gravity tests (lead SG=11.34 vs silver’s 10.49).

Die Markers: The 1733 MO-MF DNA

These coins bear distinctive “birthmarks” that forgers consistently bungle:

Obverse (Philip V Portrait)

• Crown’s upper band: Broken 2nd pearl (like a missing tooth)
• “PHILIPPVS” legend: Repunched “PP” that looks nervous
• 8 o’clock shield border: Weak strike as if tired

Reverse (Pillars & Waves)

• Left pillar base: Doubled die that shouts authenticity
• “PLVS VLTRA”: Broken “V” serif – a tiny rebellion
• Right crown’s waves: Irregular pattern like drunk scribbles

Under 10x magnification, genuine surfaces reveal an orange-peel texture from hand-polished dies – something no modern fake replicates correctly. Counterfeit dies scream “machine-made” with sterile uniformity.

Spotting the Usual Suspects: Fake Types Exposed

Chinese forgery workshops pump out three dangerous variants:

1. “Type A” Castings
   • Porous surfaces glowing like Christmas under UV
   • Always lightweights (26.4-26.6g range)
   • Missing shield border die breaks – a dead giveaway
2. “Type B” Struck Counterfeits
   • Modern collar marks at 3/9 o’clock – fashion over function
   • Overly sharp centers screaming “21st century!”
   • Assayer initials spaced like strangers on a bus
3. Altered Date Specials
   • 1733 forged from 1723/1738 bases
   • Tooling marks in date area – the telltale tremors
   • XRF exposes solder like a spotlight on stage

The Collector’s Authentication Playbook

When considering a purchase, treat it like a crime scene investigation:

1. Measure diameter (39-41mm of glorious irregularity)
2. Conduct weight/specific gravity baptism
3. 10x loupe examination for die markers
4. Sigma Metalytics verification – trust but verify
5. Cross-reference NGC Census (only 14 AU50 exist)

As Heritage’s landmark sale proves (Lot 61584), third-party certification transforms collectibility. Raw coins? Send them straight to NGC/PCGS Mexico City specialists.

Market Pulse: Where Passion Meets Investment

The Chinese collector surge has created a thrilling yet treacherous market:

• AU50 specimens up 47% since 2022 – vertical climb!
• Only 3 public trades in 2023 – liquid as molasses
• Newman pedigree premium: 15-20% for paper history

This perfect storm of scarcity and global demand makes authentication skills your most valuable numismatic asset.

Conclusion: Guarding History’s Crown Jewel

The 1733 Philip V 8 Reales klippe isn’t just silver – it’s a hand-struck monument to colonial ambition. From its precise 27.067g (±0.25g) weight to that telltale broken crown pearl, every diagnostic detail whispers secrets of Mexico City’s mint workers. As auction prices defy gravity (Heritage’s sale being Exhibit A), remember this: In a market where originality determines numismatic value, authentication knowledge separates collectors from casualties. When handling pieces of this caliber, professional verification isn’t optional – it’s how we honor history.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• How to Spot Rare Errors on Mexican 8 Reales (Despite the 22% Buyer’s Premium) – Most People Walk Past Fortune: The Error Hunter’s Guide to 1733 Philip V 8 Reales How many treasures have you held witho…
• Philip V’s Troubled Reign and the 1733 Mexico 8 Reales Klippe That Captures Collector Imagination – Every relic whispers secrets of the past, but few speak as eloquently as the 1733 Mexico 8 Reales klippe. This isn&#8217…
• Why This 1733 Philip V Klippe 8 Reales Defied Market Expectations at Heritage Auction – Beyond Book Value: Decoding the Thriving Market for Spanish Colonial Treasures Forget price guides – the true numi…