Spanish Milled Dollar

The coin of our nation's Founders, the Spanish milled dollar was valued at eight reals or "bits." Its edges were milled or patterned to prevent traders from shaving the edge unnoticed.

England forbade the early American colonies to mint coins, leaving the settlers to make do with barter, foreign coins (like this one) and local currency. Minted in the rich Spanish colonies of Mexico and Peru since 1500, the Spanish milled dollar was so highly respected it became an international trade coin. Some originals have Chinese markings, approving their use.
Spanish Milled Dollar, Pine Tree Shilling, Granby Copper, VA Halfpenny, Fugio

Spanish Milled Dollar, Pine Tree Shilling, Granby Copper, VA Halfpenny, Fugio

Price: $1.00 (1 Bids)
Sale Ends: 3d 23h 28m
1732 - 1772 Spanish Milled Dollar "2 Silver Dollar Coins in display case"

1732 - 1772 Spanish Milled Dollar "2 Silver Dollar Coins in display case"

Price: $0.99 (1 Bids)
Sale Ends: 4d 5h 13m
1777 10 SPANISH MILLED DOLLARS VIRGINIA COLONIAL NOTE

1777 10 SPANISH MILLED DOLLARS VIRGINIA COLONIAL NOTE

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1779 50 SPANISH MILLED DOLLARS CONTINENTIAL COLONIAL NOTE

1779 50 SPANISH MILLED DOLLARS CONTINENTIAL COLONIAL NOTE

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Sale Ends: 14d 9h 37m
Colonial Currency: Virginia $13 1 3 Spanish Milled dollars PGCS30 PPQ

Colonial Currency: Virginia $13 1 3 Spanish Milled dollars PGCS30 PPQ

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Sale Ends: 15d 4h 1m
Colonial Currency: Baltimore Maryland $7 Spanish Milled dollars Feb 20, 1777 VF

Colonial Currency: Baltimore Maryland $7 Spanish Milled dollars Feb 20, 1777 VF

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Sale Ends: 15d 4h 11m
Solid Pewter Replica 1807 Spanish Milled Dollar Pendant - NEW

Solid Pewter Replica 1807 Spanish Milled Dollar Pendant - NEW

Buy It Now: $5.00
Sale Ends: 28d 3h 28m

The American government sanctioned these coins until the late 1850's. Other denominations are still found in archeological digs in Columbia and California, where thousands of miners dropped coins during the gold rush years.

The Annals of San Francisco mentions that every foreign coin* that came close to the coins accepted in the "states" as set for prescribed measure in silver or gold, were being used in 1855.

Otherwise known as the pillar dollar and piece of eight, it has been given a place in romantic fiction unequalled by any other coin.

This historically significant coin, along with its fractional parts like the two reals and four reals, was the chief coin of the American Colonists. It was the forerunner of our own silver dollar and its fractional divisions, the quarter-dollar and half-dollar.

*A German Mark, a French Franc, a Spanish 8 Real, an English Crown, even though the silver content might have varied.

Thank you to Columbia Gazette and Yeoman's Little Red Book for the information! Thank you to Wikipedia for the photo.

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