Bolivia 1666-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71133 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, 1666-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Charles II. PCGS VF-30. Posthumous issue struck in the reign of Charles II. This interesting cob exhibits honest wear but retains enticing details. The obverse presents both mintmarks, denomination, date, and an assayer's initial in the central devices, as well as the first three digits of the long date on the outer legend. The reverse exhibits a curious partially rotated die, resulting in an assayer's initial set at an odd angle, but still boldly struck. Much of the late monarch's name remains in the outer legend, as well as the full ordinal 'IIII'. The central castles and lions are charmingly well-struck. There is much to admire in this unusual piece. From the Pat Johnson Collection." Assayer Ergueta introduced the new "pillars and waves" design which would show the date and assayer's initials on even the worst strike. In 1667, the design was modified to replace the deceased Philip IV with the degenerate Charles II and would be struck without change until 1700. Ergueta resigned his office in 1678.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 12.12 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6186, KM-18; Cal-1133.
- 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- 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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