The ‘pillars and waves’ cobs show the Pillars of Hercules, the ancient name for the Strait of Gibraltar, with PLVS VLTRA (‘further beyond’), the motto of Spain’s empire across the ocean. Pieces of eight like this were the world’s first global currency and are often found in shipwrecks of the Spanish treasure fleets.
Castings, Coins, KM
KM-797 Lima Pillars and Waves 8 Reales Cob
$13.75
Gold overlay casting pendant. One side shows a cross with castles and lions (Castile and Leon) inside a beaded border. The other shows the Pillars of Hercules over ocean waves, with mint, value and assayer letters (L, 8, V…) and part of the legend with ANO and a date. Inscriptions explained: PLVS VLTRA is Latin for ‘Further Beyond’, the motto of the Spanish Empire. L is the mint mark of Lima, 8 the value (8 reales), and ANO means ‘year’, followed by the date.
