I knew I was close but didn't know which one would put me over the top.

Hello fellow collectors. My first journal happens to coincide with my recent breakthrough of the 100K registry points milestone. Sure its just a number but it defines a point at which I can look back and reflect on the collection I have built in last three and a half years. For me, this all started with one of those "America's First Silver Dollars" followed by the realization that collectible grade eight reales coins (aka pieces of eight) could be found for what I paid for a damaged example (or less). Needless to say, I caught the collecting bug.

Last year I became aware that my registry point total was well into five digits and figured out that only coins in competitive sets counted. So, I started putting my eligible coins into sets to see how many points were there.

The points accumulated until I knew the next coin would break 100K. I had some coins in for grading at NGC, won two coins at Heritage CICF but what arrived in the mailbox first was an Ebay win -- an 8 reales from 1814 minted in Cadiz, Spain.

My main collecting focus is the 8 reales from the Spanish colonies but I also have examples from the Spanish mints in Madrid and Seville. Cadiz is of historical significance in that it was the home of the Spanish treasure fleet and dominated trade with the colonies in the 18th century.

At the time this coin was minted, however, the Spanish empire was in decline -- Napoleon had invaded and conquered most of Spain and the remnants of Spanish governance retreated to Cadiz where coins of this type were minted from 1810-1815. The Spanish colonies in America were plunged into a long period of warfare for their independence.

It has been a fun and fascinating journey so far. Thanks for reading. Here is a picture of the coin that got me past 100K. Its only an XF45 so please pardon the condition.

~Jack

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