These replica coins are our take on a Spanish real (Spanish: real de plata) or cobbs. From the late 16th century up thru the later 18th century, coins with irregular edges were produced in the Spanish colonies. Around the middle of the 18th century, better shaped cobbs with even edges were produced on screw presses. During this time in New England, coins would be cut up into up to 8 pieces (the origin of the term "pieces of eight"), and the pieces nicknamed "bits". This is the origins of the term "two bits".