Peter Jones has authored a new book on Spanish colonial cob coinage. Here's the announcement.
-Editor
The First Coins of the Americas describes the author's personal journey with Spanish colonial coins
called cobs. The first mint of the Americas opened in Mexico City in 1536. A lifelong collector, Jones explores the
background of the conquistadors and the Spanish colonial system, then gives the fascinating stories behind each coin
with up to date scholarship on current thoughts about each series.
The book is profusely illustrated with color
photos, and includes full page pictures of 129 coins. The book is 8.5 by 11 inches, hard back with 250 pages.
Foreword by Daniel Sedwick. Sections include: Spanish coinage before the New World; Mexican money before the
first mint of 1536; Carlos and Juana Early and Late series precobs coinage; Santo Domingo and Lima precobs; A
type collection of silver and gold cobs by mint: Mexico City, Lima, La Plata, Potosí, Panama, Bogotá, Cartagena,
Cuzco and Guatemala.
Extensive references are given throughout. The book finishes with thoughts about cobs and
treasure coins. This includes why they made cobs, cobs as collectibles, mint expenses, the mining process at Potosí,
the fleet system of galleons and naos used by the Spanish, and the New World class systems. Following this is a
history of treasure salvage and diving techniques, and a list of 22 important shipwrecks yielding cobs. An 11-page
glossary lists all the assayers and dates of each colonial mint, Spanish monarchs and their details including the
famous Habsburg jaw, listings of the mints, colonial administrators, viceroyalties, audiencias, matronymic naming,
styles of cobs, metrology and complete index. If you have any interest in Spanish colonial history, Spanish colonial
coins (cobs), or numismatics in general, this reference book is eminently readable and a must for your collection.
Daniel Sedwick writes the following Foreword:
This book is pure inspiration. Whether you are a seasoned collector or a
nascent novice, you will finish this book with a sense of purpose and justification for the hours you spend pursuing
coins for no other reason than you just want them. In these pages, Peter Jones demonstrates his personal journey of
collecting the first coins (and pre-coins) of the Americas by relating the history behind each type and period and
location.
At every turn he makes sure to share his own angle and personal interest—and then he shows you each
coin in the highest resolution possible, warts and all, so you can see for yourself what attracted him.
As Peter points
out, his goal was not completeness—as admittedly many coins were outside his range of attainability—so much as
representation. The picture that emerges is that of a longtime collector fully sated with a sense of accomplishment
and eager to share his joyful journey with the next generation.
There have been other books like this, such as like
Thomas Sebring's Treasure Tales (1986) and James Bevill's The Paper Republic (2009), which were written by
collectors and for collectors to relate the myriad of mind-excursions each collector takes with every acquisition, as
opposed to giving the final word on every topic. One who buys coins for their value alone, without feeling the
nagging curiosity of where each coin has been and what history it witnessed, is just an accumulator, whereas a
collector truly loves each of his conquests and cannot stop until he or she understands its backstories.
The ultimate
in learning about your collection, as Peter shows us here, is to write about it. Along the way he provides many tables
and maps in addition to the beautiful coin photos. As a final note, I would like to say that in the thirty-odd years I
have known Peter, he has always exemplified the Gentleman Collector, eager to learn and purchase within his means
while enjoying friendship and camaraderie with his fellow numismatists. I am honored to call him my friend.
About The Author
Passionate collector, Dr. Peter Jones describes his fascination with Spanish American colonial coins. The very first
coins were struck in the Americas in 1536, You can actually feel the connection to the past when you hold these
coins in your hand. Perhaps a conquistador once held the same coin! This book tells the stories behind these coins.
Peter trained at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, UK, doing a dual residency in Family Practice and Internal
Medicine. In 1977 he immigrated with his wife, Ann, and their three daughters to rural Connecticut, where he
practiced Internal Medicine for 39 years. His avocations have included classical piano, flamenco and classical
guitar, American financial history, magic, and numismatics. He has also authored Notable Notes, Dow Jones by
Peter Jones, Commemorative Coin Tales, The First Medals of America, Colonial History in Your Hands, and with
Cynthia Adams, Therapeutic Communication, now in its third edition.
The book contains the most up to date listing of all the Spanish colonial American mint assayers and their dates.
Dan Sedwick has a limited number of copies available for $60 postpaid.
The book is advertised on pages 100 and 132 of his Treasure Auction 28 catalog. For more information or to order, email:
sedwickcoins@gmail.com
The book can also be purchased beginning January 1, 2021 for $79 plus $4.99 postage from:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-first-coins-of-the-americas
-Editor
Wayne Homren, Editor
The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.
To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor
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