Collecting Jamestown: Part 5. Cuarto from Santo Domingo.

We have a crusty old coin to consider.

Here is the obverse with a crowned Y.

   This one will appeal to colonial collectors on at least two levels: it is the earliest Jamestown coin, AND it is among the first coins minted in the New World! Many collectors who seek out coins that were used in colonial North America have probably missed this one. But here it is!

   It is a Spanish Colonial cob of four maravedis. This copper piece was worth about one-fourth of a silver real -- hence, the name cuarto. However, values fluctuated widely over time. The relationship between silver and gold changed frequently, and the lowly maravedis was adjusted to account for this. In this regard, the denomination served as a unit of account. 

   Nonetheless, the four maravedis piece was never more than small change. I wonder how much rum it would buy -- certainly a few mouthfuls. Unfortunately, there was no rum in Jamestown.

   A cuarto just like the one pictured was dug from a blacksmith cellar in 2007 and is considered to be a relic of the early fort period -- probably before 1610. The piece was already a half-century old when lost, as it was minted in Santo Domingo between 1542 and 1556. 

   Other relics found nearby included a copper thimble, one bone die, a shell from Bermuda (a keepsake?), and many military items such as edged weapons, breastplates, even a helmet. Excavation of the cellar also produced two English farthings and a silver half-penny (but I will save these for a future posting).

Here is the reverse with the pillars of Hercules.

   It is no wonder that so many military items were found since the cellar is believed to be part of a metalworking shop. Armor and weapons were repaired and modified there. Later on, the cellar was refitted with two brick ovens and served as a bakery. All of this happened within the first few years of settlement.
   The building was labeled by the archeologists as Structure 183. It was unusual by modern standards, as it was all cellar with a low roof. As with many early fort structures, it was an earthfast building constructed by sinking poles in the ground.
   Getting back to our relic coin, the cuarto features a large Greek Y for Johanna. The Y is flanked by the assayer's initial (F) on the left and the denomination (IIII) on the right. It was minted under the direction of Francisco Rodriquez. The legend reads: KAROLVS.ET.IOANNA.REGIS. This translates to Charles and Joanna, Kings. Charles was the son of Johanna, and he assumed the crown in 1516 when Ferdinand died (father of Joanna). Joanna shared the throne but was too ill to govern. 

   The reverse shows the crowned Pillars of Hercules with the mint marks S and P. Some might wonder why not SD instead of SP -- Dan Sedwick has suggested that the original name was Santo Domingo del Puerto.

   This cuarto is a charming relic, sandblasted by Mother Nature and given a rusty tone. The central details are clear but the legends are gone. Irregular edges provide a primitive vibe. As such, this relic looks the part and is perfect. It is undoubtably filled with spirits! What a prize for the Jamestown collector and the necromancer. Now go find one!