Bolivia (1612-16)-P Q 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 72036 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2024), where it sold for $85. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 1/2 Real, ND (1612-16)-P Q. Potosi Mint. Philip III. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, VF Details. A darkly toned Cob with some corrosion on both sides. However, the mintmark and assayer are clear. From the S.P. Rutherford 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. Cob half reales were struck at Potosi for Philip III throughout his reign. Many of the later issues lack a mintmark, bearing only an assayer initial (KM 6.2).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 1.76 g.
Catalog reference: KM-6.1; Cal-410, Cayón-4405.
- 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, October 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the S.P. Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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