Old Spanish silver coins, known as Reales (6 letters), were widely used in the Spanish Empire from the 16th to 19th centuries. They were minted in Spain and its colonies, and were also accepted in other parts of the world. Reales were made of silver and were divided into 8 reales, 4 reales, 2 reales, and 1 real. The coins were often stamped with the Spanish coat of arms and the Pillars of Hercules.