Bolivia 1655-P E 2 reales
This specimen was lot 1932 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 39 (Winter Park, FL, May 2026), where it sold for $156. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 2 reales, 1655 E, PCGS F details / cleaned. Crudely struck piece on a broad yet circular planchet with parts of all three dates visible (mis-attributed to 1653 on label), some flat patches." This type was struck 1652-66 for Philip IV. It superseded the shield/cross type which was discredited in the debasement scandal of the 1630's and 1640's. As part of the reform, the date was moved to the center of the obverse, greatly increasing the percentage of production with legible dates. This specimen is reported to be overweight, a rare event for a circulation strike.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 8.68 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-5958, S-P37a; KM-16; Cal-919.
- 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, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 39, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Jorge Ugaz Collection of Lima Silver Cob 2 Reales and the Darby Collection of Guatemala Silver Cobs, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2026.
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