"GO WITH GORHAM" - Rulau RI 114
     A mystery piece: How was this done ?
                Why was this done ? 

        

     Rulau  RI 114 features raised  lettering without any (obvious?) depression either on the surface surrounding the raised lettering OR on the corresponding area on the reverse.

 This raises several questions:
    - Why  was it done?
   -  How was this done ?

Examination reveals that RI 114 consists  of two halves soldered together.

 Several possibilities:

    1) Fabricated obverse die /  fabricated  reverse.
    2) Genuine obverse counterstanped and soldered to a genuine reverse. 
    3) Fabricated obverse die /  genuine reverse die.

  1) Fabricated obverse die /  fabricated  reverse.

   I dismiss explanation #1 is unlikely as it would seem much simpler to just strike the piece from the two counterfeit dies  than to go to the trouble of soldering fake obverses to a fake reverse.

    2) Genuine obverse counterstanped and soldered to a genuine reverse. 
   Under explanation #2, a negative counterstamp would have been pressed into a genuine 8R piece. The obverse was separated from the reverse, perhaps by planing, either before or after the stamping. The damage  from the stamping on the reverse would be covered up by the "new" reverse. The question is whether this could be done without any sign on the obverse.

    3) Fabricated obverse die /  genuine reverse die.
    This seems the simplest explanation, but raises the question as to why?
That is, if you can fabricate an obverse die, why not  fabricate a reversed die as well?


Why  was it done?

    This is clearly and "advertising" piece.  The question is, "what were they advertising?"

     It was my understanding that Gorham was in the business of making silverware including large silver objects.

    I've recently heard from a counterfeit aficionado that Gorham actually was more famous for making silver plated objects. He also informed me that  a number of silversmiths in that period were in the business of making counterfeit portrait 8 Reales pieces for foreign trade.

    This suggests that this piece was made to show off Gorham's  ability to  create forged pieces.

      I prefer this explanation. That is, Gorham was showing off what they could do by juxtaposing their fake obverse with a genuine reverse. 
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