Bolivia 1661-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71123 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1661-P. Potosi Mint, Assayer Antonia de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. PCGS EF-40. A beautiful 4 Reales piece with great detail and highly original surfaces. The obverse is slightly off-center, revealing large portions of the outer legend. Both dates are visible, albeit somewhat unclear. The reverse is certainly the more impressive side, displaying a well-centered strike with full boldness, even in the typically weak peripheries. All four marks at the terminal ends of the cross are sharply readable, with the crowned cross and its lions and castles handsomely crisp and clear. The surfaces are toned to an attractive mottled gray, with much depth and sheen. A particularly appealing example. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 42 - 03/1990) Lot # 351. Ex: Ernesto Sellschopp Collection (Swiss Bank Corp - 09/1988) Lot # 752 (part of)." Assayer Rodas was brought in from Spain to restore the purity of the cobs struck at Potosi which had been debased as low as 0.700 fine. He did improve the quality but his product still did not meet the legal standard. He was sacked and replaced by Antonio de Ergueta, who introduced the new "pillars and waves" design which would show the date and assayer's initials on even the worst strike.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.17 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6176, KM 18; Cal-1128.
- 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.
- [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.
Link to: