Bolivia (1577-95)-P B 2 reales

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from the Stack's Bowers October 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 70173
SB1021-70173r.jpg
Stack's Bowers 2023 ANA sale, lot 53747
SB823-53747r.jpg

The first specimen was lot 70173 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 2 Reales, ND (ca. 1578-95)-P B. Potosi Mint. Philip II. VERY FINE. A well detailed, broadly struck Cob with clear mintmark and assayer letter, toned a dark gray. Provenance from the wreck of Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank off of Florida in 1622. Sold with certificate from Treasure Salvors, Inc / Mel Fisher, #85A-222881." The second specimen was lot 53747 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 2 Reales, ND (1574-86)-P B. Potosi Mint. Philip II. NGC VF-20." The mountains around Potosi contained enormous amounts of high grade silver ore, a situation the Spanish were not slow to exploit. A mint was set up in the 1570's to process the silver mined there. The early products of the reign of Philip II are fairly good quality but rot set in during the following reign, including fraudulent debasement. Cob two reales were struck at Potosi for Philip II 1577-98 and are generally very crude. Cayón shows varieties for this assayer, varying in the number of lilies in the obverse arms. This example shows two lilies.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 6.77 grams, 0.931 fine silver; the first specimen 5.9 g.

Catalog reference: KM-3.2; Cayón-3605 (two lilies), Cal-type 127#370.

Source:

  • Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
  • Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
  • Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
  • Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
  • [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

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