Bolivia 1663-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71125 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1663-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. PCGS EF-40. This cob offers abundant central detail on the obverse including a bold denomination mark, two assayer initials, and date. Much of the full name 'POTOSI' is also visible on the outer legend, rather unusual for this issue. The reverse fares just as well, displaying a mintmark, date, and much of the monarch's name. The central lions and castles are presented with a pleasing amount of detail. Wonderfully complete and exhibiting an attractive light gray toning, this coin can be considered a survivor. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 3/90) Lot # 353." 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.
Catalog reference: Cayón-unlisted, cf. KM 18; Cal-1130.
- 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [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.
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