Bolivia 1659-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34015 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted,
"BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1659-P E. Potosi Mint, Assayer Antonio de Ergueta, Normal Production. Philip IV. PCGS Genuine--Plugged, EF Details. One of only two certified examples of the date on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. Struck on a broad even flan with most of the legends on both sides, this charming example displays a light gray tone with slate patina in the crevasses. There is evidence of a slight shift in the striking process mentioned for accuracy. For this series the legends are remarkably intact with a nearly complete inscription and bold well-defined central devices. Close inspection reveals four locations where holes had been plugged with re-engraved devices, mostly blundered, now toned over matching the rest of the coin. Despite its shortcomings this piece appears to be on a larger more even flan than normally encountered from this series with significantly more details. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 42 - 3/1990) Lot # 347."
In 1652, the four and eight reales were redesigned to distinguish the reformed (full silver) product from the old, debased cobs. Assayer "E" (Antonio de Ergueta) was brought in to clean house and served 1650-79.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.66 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6168, KM-18; Cal-1089; CJ-24.7.2.
- 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, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to: