Argentina 1813-PTS J 8 reales
The specimen in the first two images was lot 919 in Goldberg sale 46 (Beverly Hills, May 2008), where it sold for $13,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Argentina - Provincias del Rio de la Plata. 8 Reales, 1813 PTS-J (Potosi). First sunface type. Flaming sun with human face. Reverse: Oval shield with clasped hands upholding cap of Liberty, wreath around. Medallic axis. Wonderful bold strike for series. Bright satiny fields, more reflective at peripheries. Choice, nearly pristine surfaces. Light toning, ranging from warm to a slightly steely hue. Rare this fine. NGC graded MS-65. The Rio de la Plata, or Silver River, is an estuary formed by the confluence of the Parana and Uruguay Rivers. The estuary grows to 137 miles in width, making it the widest estuary in the world. It also forms part of the border between Uruguay and Argentina. Millions of tons of silt are carried through this estuary every year. The silt has to be constantly removed to allow ocean going ships to reach Buenos Aires."
The specimen in the next two images was lot 1520 in Stack's December 2004 auction (December 14, 2004), where it sold for $350. The catalog description noted,
"Provincias del Rio de la Plata. 8 Reales 1813 PTS J. Potosí. Radiant sun. Rv. Arms. Distinctly lustrous, bold strike. Extremely Fine."
It was subsequently graded AU 50 by NGC. Of interest is the die break on the reverse lower third of the coin, which along with the general soft nature of the strike are most likely indicative of the conditions at the Potosí mint under which the coins were minted in the late Spring and Summer of 1813.
This type was struck only in 1813 and is expensive; similar designs were issued 1815 (KM 14) and 1826-37 (KM 20) which are more available. After General Belgrano captured the villa of Potosí, the general assembly in Buenos Aires issued a law authorizing the minting of the first Argentinian coins on April 13, 1813 in silver and gold. The characteristics and design were sent to Potosí 15 days later, and the first known examples of this silver crown surfaced in Buenos Aires on July 28, 1813. Striking continued until November of the same year when the villa of Potosí was recaptured by forces loyal to the Spanish crown. The mint was reoccupied by General Rondeau and the similar designs previously mentioned were struck in 1815 from April to November, when the Spanish forces once again retook the villa of Potosí. The designs from 1826 to 1837 were minted in the province of Rioja.
There are two rare varieties of KM 5: specimens with an inverted reverse (R2), and a unique specimen with a chain edge design. There is an R2 variety of KM 15 with a spelling error in "PROVICIAS" as opposed to "PROVINCIAS".
Recorded mintage: unknown, as records were most likely destroyed when the mint was recaptured by Spanish crown forces.
Specification: 26.5 to 27.06 g, .850 to 0.896 fine silver, .779 troy oz ASW; this specimen: 26.91 grams.
Catalog reference: Wr-1; Eliz-1; KM 5, Cunietti-Ferrando 4.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg Sale 46: the Millenia Collection, Beverly Hills, CA: Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, 2008.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- Janson, Hector Carlos, La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino, 1767-1998, Buenos Aires, 1998.
- Cunietti-Ferrando, Arnaldo José, Monedas de la República Argentina, Asociación Numismática Argentina, Buenos Aires, 1965.
Link to:
- 1813 ½ real
- 1813 real
- 1813 2 reales
- 1813 4 reales
- Bolivia 1813-PTS PJ 8 reales
- 1813 8 escudos
- 1815 8 reales
- (1834-37) "Y-II" c/s on Argentina "sunface" 8 reales
- Coins and currency dated 1813
- other specimens in The Millenia Collection.
- return to coins of Argentina
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