Argentina 1831-RA P 8 reales
This specimen was lot 20012 in Stack's Bowers 2018 NYINC sale (New York, January 2018), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ARGENTINA. 8 Reales, 1831-RA P. NGC EF-40. RARE date in any grade. Moderate signs of circulation consistent for the grade. Interesting to note that when comparing the plated examples in Janson the obverse die matches that of the 1831/0(CJ-32.1) while the reverse matches that of the clean date 1831(CJ-32.2). Clearly this obverse die was used for a prolonged period of time as it also matches the 1830(CJ-31) also in this sale. Deeply toned with patches of dark tone on the reverse. Overall a handsome example of an interesting variety sure to excite the specialist of Argentine numismatics. From the Alex Siegel Collection. Ex: Craig Whitford sale November 27, 2004, lot# 76."
This type was struck 1826-37 and is the first peso from Argentina which is reasonably affordable. Earlier types exist, struck 1813-15 (KM 5, KM 14, KM 15), but these are rare. The early years of independence were torn by struggles between the centralists in Buenos Aires and regionalists in La Rioja, Cordoba, Salta and elsewhere who even issued their own coinage.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.06 g, 0.896 fine silver, .779 troy oz ASW, decorated edge.
Catalog reference: KM-20; cf.CJ-32.2 (die pairing not listed).
- 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.
- Cunietti-Ferrando, Arnaldo José, Monedas de la República Argentina, Asociación Numismática Argentina, Buenos Aires, 1965.
- Janson, Hector Carlos, La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino, 1767-1998, Buenos Aires, 1998.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, John Kraljevich and Cris Chatigny, The January 2018 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
Link to: