Bolivia 1621-P T 8 reales
This specimen was lot 71050 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 8 Reales, 1621-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Juan Jimenez de Tapia (T). Philip III. PCGS VF-35. This appealing 8 Reales piece has much to offer. The obverse shows a mintmark and the assayer's initial quite clearly, despite some doubling. The central shield is nearly complete, as is the denomination mark to its right. On the reverse, one from each pair of castles and lions is shown with satisfying detail. Each digit of the date is at least partially visible, allowing the coin to be decisively dated. The surfaces of this rather complete piece offer a nice gray patina with some earthen tones surrounding the devices. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type was struck 1605-21, throughout the reign of Philip III. Dates were added in 1617; even so, many are so crudely made that the dates are not legible. Assayer Jimenez de Tapia stamped coins 1618-23.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 26.08 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-4947 (lions and castles reversed), KM-10; Cal-933.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [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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