Bolivia (1578-82)-P B 1/4 real
This specimen was lot 51311 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 1/4 Real, ND (ca. 1578-82)-P B. Potosi Mint. Philip II. NGC VF-35. RARE Variety with 'P-B'. Somewhat crudely produced but spared from corrosion, excessive wear, or holing, this Cuartillo offers rather complete details including much of the outer legends. A wholesome exemplar of the variety. From the EMO Collection." This is the only issue of silver cuartillas from Bolivia during the cob period. The next issue of cuartillas was the lions and castles type commencing in 1796, over two centuries later. We suspect, but cannot prove, that base metal tokens filled the gap, to the profit of the local merchants that issued them. The SCWC lists only assayer R for this type but assayer B (shown here) and assayer L are mentioned in Cayón. A variety exists with the mintmark "P" on the right and the assayer "B" on the left. The early products of the reign of Philip II are fairly good quality but rot set in during the following reign, including fraudulent debasement. Dating began in 1617.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.84 grams, 0.931 fine silver, .025 troy oz ASW, this specimen 0.85 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3375, EMO-708 (Plate coin); KM-A1; cf. Cal-108 (letters reversed).
- 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.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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