Bolivia 1663-P E 8 reales
This specimen was lot 2004 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 'Royal' Presentation Cob 8 Reales, 1663-P E. Potosi Mint, Assayer Antonia de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. NGC EF Details--Plugged. A nicely preserved and attractive example of this ever-popular RARE date presentation issue exhibiting boldly struck devices with minor doubling on both sides and two bold dates. The surfaces of this moderately worn example display rich mottled gray and slate patina with a slight iridescent sheen. Though in a details holder for being plugged, close inspection under 10 power magnification does not seem to reveal any noticeable evidence of being repaired. Despite its shortcomings this handsome survivor offers a pleasing appearance with a tasteful, nearly imperceptible expertly repaired hole now toned over and very difficult to detect. A wholesome example of the type that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters. From the Pat Johnson Collection." Royals are known of this type from the Potosí mint but all are rare. The regular cob issues are not nearly as nice. The years 1649-52 were a period of reform at the Potosí mint; it was found that the previous mintmasters in office 1625-48 had been debasing the cobs, a crime for which one official paid with his life.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.931 fine silver, .810 troy oz ASW, this specimen 27.10 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6578, KM-R21; Lazaro-169 (same dies); Cal-1431; Calb-1059.
- 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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