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Rev. A proof. anyone seen rev. B proof?

There are several minor varieties of 1921, Mike (noted in David Sealy's 1970 varieties guide in the Coins & Medals Annual). The pre-1920 obverse hadn't even been noted at that stage! It's quite possible you have two distinct reverses there.

Not a clue about these, but given the abdication date it doesn't sound right. What mint is it? Weight? Edge? The portrait doesn't seem to match the 1808 coins exactly, but I haven't checked all the different mints. The eyelid is too long for a start and the front cuirasse strap could be a bit too long. Usually the other 3 are slightly longer. It's almost certain the Chinese will be making these, so anybody know if this is one? You might be better off posting on a US forum as there are a lot of collectors of 8 Reales over there due to the Hispanic connection with the US. If it is a copy, it won't be the only one.

Not so much a fake perhaps (the date error is too obvious) but possibly an "evasion", i.e. a coin minted with a deliberate wrong date for purposes of trade in certain regions?

Can try fax.

For this series, I've always examined the sharpness of the edges. Proofs are very sharp indeed, compared to 'prooflike' examples. Many 'proofs' that are advertised on eBay have quite blunted edges, which means for me they are not proofs.

That's true. My early 1920's shillings have a very shallow relief - especially the 1923 - so it's no wonder they "wore out" so quickly. Many of them probably down to <fine within 10 years at normal use.

I think there's something in that for all of us.

a ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong yiddle eye po ying tong ying tong ying tong yiddle eye po yiddle eye po a ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong yiddle eye po ying tong ying tong ying tong yiddle eye po yiddle eye poooooooooo

The big problem with the first few years of the 500 coinage was the indifferent strike frequently seen with practically as struck VF detail not unknown. It isn't until 1923 that you get a consistent strike.