Bolivia 1664-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71126 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1664-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. PCGS EF-45. Struck somewhat off-center on a broad flan, this cob is loaded with interesting details and idiosyncrasies. The obverse appears to have been double-struck, resulting in a boldly duplicated mintmark on the lower right. Both assayer marks appear sharply, and the central date is legible. The denomination mark, however, is rotated clockwise 90 degrees, giving it the appearance of a retrograde digit. The reverse is quite well-preserved, showing the mintmark, denomination, assayer's initial, and date, all clear and well-struck at each cardinal position. The castles and lions in the center retain some pleasing detail, as do the remaining portions of the outer legend and crown. A rather individual piece, further enhanced by lovely cabinet toning. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 3/90) Lot # 354." 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 13.54 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6181, KM 18; Cal-1131.
- 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.
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