CoinMan
Pieces of Eight
These were the original pieces of eight. Unlike the Spanish milled dollar that came later, these coins were irregular in shape. This was due to their crude method of manufacture. Bars of high grade silver were extruded at the mint. Pieces were sliced from the bars, then struck by hand, one at a time, using a hammer, a punch, and an anvil. Hand cut dies were embedded in the anvil and the punch. The coiner placed a pre-heated piece of silver upon the anvil, positioned the punch atop the silver. A heavy hammer blow drove the punch into the silver, and the silver into the anvil, imparting the design to both sides. Large shears were used to adjust the weight of the completed coin.
More coin history at www.valuable-coin-stories.com.
Pieces of Eight
These were the original pieces of eight. Unlike the Spanish milled dollar that came later, these coins were irregular in shape. This was due to their crude method of manufacture. Bars of high grade silver were extruded at the mint. Pieces were sliced from the bars, then struck by hand, one at a time, using a hammer, a punch, and an anvil. Hand cut dies were embedded in the anvil and the punch. The coiner placed a pre-heated piece of silver upon the anvil, positioned the punch atop the silver. A heavy hammer blow drove the punch into the silver, and the silver into the anvil, imparting the design to both sides. Large shears were used to adjust the weight of the completed coin.
More coin history at www.valuable-coin-stories.com.