Bolivia 1646-P V/TR 8 reales
This specimen was lot 550 in Sedwick Auction 36 (Winter Park, FL, November 2024), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales, 1646 V/TR, rare, ex-Ponte. Full and bold ANO 1(6)46 with date in small digits as usual outside of full cross (with "furry" lions), the shield also full with bold denomination to right and fairly clear mintmark-assayer to left (could possibly be TR/V instead, unlisted either way), nice Fine with a few flat spots, hairline edge-crack. Pedigreed to the Luis R. Ponte Collection." This type was struck 1625-48 at Potosi. While silver cobs from Bolivia are very common, this early type is rare, as most were recalled and melted when it was discovered that the mint operators had been systematically debasing their issues, sometimes as low as .700 fine. Assayer V is known for 1646 only.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.47 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 26.55 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6388 (assayer V/T); S-P32; KM-unl (19a for type); Cal-unl (Type 327).
- 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Treasure Auction 36, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Luis R. Ponte collection, the Jorge Becerra Collection and the John M. O'Brien collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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