{"title":"Commerce and Trade in Early America","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"1121\" data-end=\"1328\"\u003eCoins played a vital role in the daily exchange of goods in early America. Spanish milled dollars and their divided forms—known as pieces of eight—were trusted currency, used in markets and households alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1469\"\u003eThis collection reflects the material culture of commerce, illustrating how value was measured, exchanged, and understood in everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pewter-milled-dollar","title":"Spanish Milled Dollar Cast Pewter Coin – “Piece of Eight” Reproduction Coin","description":"\u003ch3 data-end=\"343\" data-start=\"277\" data-section-id=\"1pxznnw\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eSpanish Milled Dollar Cast Pewter Coin – “Piece of Eight” Reproduction Coin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"678\" data-start=\"345\"\u003eThe Spanish milled dollar, often called the “Piece of Eight,” was one of the most widely circulated coins in early America. Minted from New World silver in regions such as Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, these coins traveled across the Atlantic aboard Spanish galleons, facing the dangers of pirates, storms, and long sea voyages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"941\" data-start=\"680\"\u003eValued by the weight of their silver, milled dollars featured patterned edges designed to prevent shaving or clipping. Their reliability and consistent quality made them highly trusted, and they remained in legal circulation in the United States until 1857.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1139\" data-start=\"943\"\u003eThe name “Piece of Eight” comes from the common practice of cutting the coin into eight smaller pieces, or “bits,” to make change—giving rise to the expression “two bits” for a quarter dollar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1352\" data-start=\"1141\"\u003eOur Spanish milled dollar reproduction is cast in lead-free pewter, carefully made to approximate the look and feel of original examples. It offers a tangible connection to early American commerce and global trade. The coin is packaged in a poly bag with a history card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"23\" width=\"44\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING  CHOKING HAZARD  SMALL PARTS  Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49211820146978,"sku":"538","price":4.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/Reproduction-Spanish-milled-dollar-cast-pewter-coin-reverse.png?v=1775063465"},{"product_id":"pewter-set-of-pieces-of-eight","title":"Pieces of Eight Set – Spanish Milled Dollar with Bits (Pewter Reproduction Coin Set)","description":"\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1amd6nz\" data-start=\"291\" data-end=\"353\"\u003ePieces of Eight Set – Spanish Milled Dollar with Bits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"660\"\u003eThe Spanish milled dollar, often called the “Piece of Eight,” was one of the most widely circulated coins in early America. Minted from New World silver in Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, these coins traveled aboard Spanish galleons across dangerous seas, facing storms, piracy, and long ocean voyages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"662\" data-end=\"896\"\u003eValued by the weight of their silver, milled dollars featured patterned (milled) edges to prevent shaving or clipping. Their reliability made them a trusted currency, remaining in legal circulation in the United States until 1857.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"898\" data-end=\"1098\"\u003eThe term “Piece of Eight” comes from the common practice of cutting the coin into eight smaller pieces, or “bits,” to make change—giving rise to the expression “two bits” for a quarter dollar. In practice, coins were also routinely broken into pieces of varying sizes to complete transactions based on the weight of the silver, reflecting the flexible and practical nature of early commerce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1100\" data-end=\"1387\"\u003eOur Spanish milled dollar set is cast in Vermont from lead-free pewter, designed to closely approximate the size, weight, and appearance of original coins. The set includes both a full coin and fractional pieces, offering a hands-on way to understand early American currency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1406\"\u003eSet Includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1583\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ri5es3\" data-start=\"1407\" data-end=\"1447\"\u003e1 complete Spanish milled dollar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1kfsydt\" data-start=\"1448\" data-end=\"1472\"\u003e8 bits (eighths)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"i8hf3v\" data-start=\"1473\" data-end=\"1491\"\u003e4 quarters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1g4cba7\" data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1508\"\u003e2 halves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ds5ecy\" data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1544\"\u003ePackaged in a leather pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"15ekdrb\" data-start=\"1545\" data-end=\"1583\"\u003eIncludes a history insert card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg height=\"23\" width=\"44\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING  CHOKING HAZARD  SMALL PARTS  Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49211881390370,"sku":"539","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/reproduction-set-pieces-of-eight-Spanish-milled-dollar-leather-pouch.jpg?v=1775058468"},{"product_id":"silver-spanish-milled-dollar","title":"Spanish Milled Dollar (Piece of Eight) Struck Coin – Early American Trade Coin Reproduction","description":"\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1pxznnw\" data-start=\"277\" data-end=\"343\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eTHIS ITEM IS AVAILABLE FROM CURRENT STOCK ONLY. It has been discontinued.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"678\"\u003eThe Spanish milled dollar, often called the “Piece of Eight,” was one of the most widely circulated coins in early America. Minted from New World silver in regions such as Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, these coins traveled across the Atlantic aboard Spanish galleons, facing the dangers of pirates, storms, and long sea voyages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"680\" data-end=\"941\"\u003eValued by the weight of their silver, milled dollars featured patterned edges designed to prevent shaving or clipping. Their reliability and consistent quality made them highly trusted, and they remained in legal circulation in the United States until 1857.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"1139\"\u003eThe name “Piece of Eight” comes from the common practice of cutting the coin into eight smaller pieces, or “bits,” to make change—giving rise to the expression “two bits” for a quarter dollar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1141\" data-end=\"1352\"\u003eOur Spanish milled dollar reproduction is a struck coin, carefully made to approximate the look and feel of original examples. It offers a tangible connection to early American commerce and global trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1354\" data-end=\"1525\"\u003eEach coin is packaged in an envelope printed with historical information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\" alt=\"\" width=\"44\" height=\"23\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING  CHOKING HAZARD  SMALL PARTS  Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49285472289058,"sku":"","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/reproduction-spanish-milled-dollar-struck-coin-reverse.png?v=1775057761"},{"product_id":"spanish-pistareen-struck-coin-eproduced-in-nickel-silver-discontinued-item","title":"Spanish Pistareen Struck Coin – Early American Trade Coin Reproduction","description":"\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1pxznnw\" data-start=\"277\" data-end=\"343\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eTHIS ITEM IS AVAILABLE FROM CURRENT STOCK ONLY. It has been discontinued.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eThe pistareen was minted in Spain with a lower silver content than its counterparts minted in Spain's American colonies. Nevertheless, it was a common coin in colonial America, and circulated at a lesser value. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis reproduction of a Spanish Pistareen coin is a struck coin made to closely approximate the look and feel of the original. The coin is packaged in an poly bag with an information card on the coin's history and its place in early American commerce. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Spanish pistareen reproduction is a struck coin, carefully made to approximate the look, feel, and character of original examples. It offers a tangible connection to the economic life of early America, when a mix of foreign coins served as everyday currency. Each coin is packaged in a poly bag with a history card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0607\/0766\/8168\/files\/triangle_480x480.png?v=1643661764\" alt=\"\" width=\"44\" height=\"23\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWARNING  CHOKING HAZARD  SMALL PARTS  Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49285554929954,"sku":null,"price":4.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0905\/9919\/4914\/files\/reproduction-spanish-pistareen-struck-coin-obverse.png?v=1775056999"}],"url":"https:\/\/cowingsmill.com\/collections\/commerce-and-trade-in-early-america.oembed","provider":"Cowings Mill: Retail Outlet of Cooperman HistoryLives","version":"1.0","type":"link"}