Bolivia (1578-95)-P B 4 reales

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Stack's Bowers November 2022 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71037
SB1122-71037r.jpg

This specimen was lot 71037 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1578-95)-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Juan Ballesteros (B). Philip II. PCGS AU-50. Variety with 7 fleurs de lis. An impressive cob struck on a broad flan. The legend contains a remarkably complete "HISPANIARVM" surrounding the central shield and boldly struck mintmark and assayer's initial. The reverse features well-struck castles and lions surrounded by the largely intact legend. An all-around pleasing cob of high grade, enhanced by an elegant toning. From the Pat Johnson Collection." 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. The Potosí mint was the second mint in the western hemisphere to date its products. Dating began in 1617.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.57 g.

Catalog reference: Cayón-3767 (seven lilies), KM-4.2; Cal-525.

Source:

  • Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
  • 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.
  • 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 November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.

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