1888 Alphonso XIII MSM mint mark

Hello all ,

I am new to collecting coins and I came across this coin in a market I feel it’s a bit suspicious as online there is no information on mint amounts . It should also weigh 25 grams but I have weight and it’s 23 grams

Hello and welcome to Numista!

There is a good probability it's a copy/fake. Can you post a full picture of the reverse and especially the edge?

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces4009.html

Welcome. Yes, it may be a fake but that coin would be a very good fake. The weight is of a little concern but I am still leaning on genuine as I can not see any glaring issues with the details. How accurate is your scale? Between an inaccurate scale and some wear could account for some of the weight discrepancy. Try to do some silver tests to determine silver content. The ping test and ice test for instance. Also, verify diameter and thickness if you are able.

Well this is a surprise I did do the ice test and the ice melted rapidly there isn’t an awful lot of wear on the coin I’m not sure of how accurate the scales are thanks for your help I appreciate it.

Quote: "Eoghain"​Well this is a surprise I did do the ice test and the ice melted rapidly there isn’t an awful lot of wear on the coin I’m not sure of how accurate the scales are thanks for your help I appreciate it.

​That is good news. A little weight variance from the mint is explainable and acceptable. I agree that there is little wear but that could still account for some and an inaccurate scale even at a few tenths of a gram could account for the rest. I am still sticking with my instincts and judge your example as genuine. Very attractive coin and find. Lets see what others think.

I also checked my scales I found the weight of a MacBook online and weight mine and the weight on my scales was showing a discrepancy of 1.3 grams which would indicate the weight of the coin would be closer to 24.3 grams I hope this is correct .

I am not knowledgeable enough to judge if this coin is genuine from appearance alone but some things make me apprehensive about it:

1. An MSM is relatively rare and typically sell for thousands of dollars.
   
2. This coin was found in a market presumably for not thousands of dollars
   
3. The weight is 8% light which is a lot for just wear only (harryg's argument may nullify this)
   
4. Copies of this coin seem to be easily available. Here are 2 that in my opinion look just as good as this one:
   

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313292148545
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265205267010

Quote: "rsirian1"​I am not knowledgeable enough to judge if this coin is genuine from appearance alone but some things make me apprehensive about it:
​

1. An MSM is relatively rare and typically sell for thousands of dollars.
   ​
   
2. This coin was found in a market presumably for not thousands of dollars
   ​
   
3. The weight is 8% light which is a lot for just wear only (harryg's argument may nullify this)
   ​
   
4. Copies of this coin seem to be easily available. Here are 2 that in my opinion look just as good as this one:
   ​
   

​https://www.ebay.com/itm/313292148545
​https://www.ebay.com/itm/265205267010
​

​Hmmm. Well that would give somebody clear motivation to make a quality counterfeit.https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/spain-5-pesetas-km-689-1888-88-1892-92-cuid-1082461-duid-1517203

I also noticed the date which is in the stars have 18 and 88 in the other it was hard to see in the replica poster above but didn’t seem like it had that detail would something such as the numbers in the stars on the coin be something difficult to replicate on a counter it coin. Plus the variation in the scales gives it closer to a 3% discrepancy in the weight.

Another reason to have very accurate digital scales, they are very affordable and worth the investment. I don't read Spanish and couldn't determine if weight and metal content was even mentioned in the sale of the replicas. How were they so easily able to determine that? Looks like more homework needs to be done on yours.

I will definitely invest in a set of scales for coins , so I guess it’s leaning more towards the real deal than I expected I think I should take it somewhere to get authenticate. Thanks again

One of the links said it was "silver" and weighed 25.4 g. The other didn't mention metal or weight.

The first link in my post of the 2 copies clearly shows 18 88 in the stars. The other one doesn't.

Quote: "rsirian1"​One of the links said it was "silver" and weighed 25.4 g. The other didn't mention metal or weight.
​
​The first link in my post of the 2 copies clearly shows 18 88 in the stars. The other one doesn't.

​Hi Rick. For some reason I could not open the first link when you first posted but could open the second link. That is until I quoted your comment and could only open the first link then. I have no idea why. Yes, I see the 88 clearly on it too.

Quote: "harryg"​

Quote: "rsirian1"​One of the links said it was "silver" and weighed 25.4 g. The other didn't mention metal or weight.
​​
​​The first link in my post of the 2 copies clearly shows 18 88 in the stars. The other one doesn't.

​​Hi Rick. For some reason I could not open the first link when you first posted but could open the second link. That is until I quoted your comment and could only open the first link then. I have no idea why. Yes, I see the 88 clearly on it too.

​I noticed that too about the first link. I thought you fixed it on purpose when you replied so I didn't bother to change it.