Bolivia 1671-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71138 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, 1671-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Charles II. PCGS EF-45. This cob has very dark toning and a cracked flan, but offers comparatively sharp details. The date, assayer's initial, and denomination are presented with clarity. Although the mintmarks are not visible on the obverse, the one on the reverse can be made out definitively. In the center, the castles and lions are pleasantly detailed. A presentable example despite its shortcomings. 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 13.48 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7437, KM-25; Cal-515.
- 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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