“Piece of Eight” pendant
Mexico
1825-1900
Measurements
1-1/4 in x 1-1/16 in (dia)
Materials
Silver
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.
Accession Number
1971.1578
Condition Notes
See "Comments"
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner
Comments
This seemingly crude silver pendant was originally a Mexican 8 reales coin or peso minted in great numbers since the 16th century and used as specie throughout the Western World. The central image on the coin was a liberty cap from which rays spread outward. The background was cut away from the coin leaving the rays, and the detail of the cap was polished away The date and other lettering along the bottom border is difficult to discern. The hanging loop was soldered to the outside of the coin edge.
No provenance information accompanies this pendant. It is possible--even likely--that Mary Warner acquired it as an interesting, historical trinket.
