Bolivia (1589-91)-P RL 8 reales
This specimen was lot 32311 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $810. The catalog description[1] noted, "Bolivia. Philip II Cob 8 Reales ND (1589-1591) P-RL XF40 NGC, Potosi mint. A scarce variety issued under the assayer Baltasar Ramos Leceta, denoted as "RL" in monogram form. Struck on a broad, relatively round flan with pleasingly preserved and undamaged surfaces. Mislabeled on the holder as a Rincon 8 Reales." 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 Potosi mint was the second mint in the western hemisphere to date its products. Dating began in 1617.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 grams, 0.931 fine silver, .810 troy oz ASW, this specimen 27.33 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-unlisted (assayer R only); KM-MB5.1, cf. Cal-159, Paoletti-97.
- 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, vol. 1, 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.
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