Bolivia 1648-P T real
This specimen was lot 1881 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 35 (Winter Park, FL, May 2024), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 1 real, 1648 T, very rare. Fine, holed at top and bottom, though with a nice full cross and clear date, dark fields contrasting with lighter high points." We find it very odd that a coin with a hole should be overweight. This type is not rare but examples with legible dates are few to the point where many are missing in the SCWC. The catalog lists only 1848-Z for 1648. Assayer T served 1618-48 and was likely deeply involved in the debasement scandal uncovered in 1651-52.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.38 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 3.78 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón unlisted; S-P30; KM-12a; Cal-740.
- 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]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 35, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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