Bolivia 1675-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71139 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1675-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Charles II. PCGS VF-30. While this cob exhibits areas of flat strike, it nevertheless offers up all the important details. A bold mintmark is visible on the obverse along with the date and first letters of the full mint name. The reverse prominently displays the well-struck initial of the assayer. The crowns on each side of the coin are mostly complete. Tastefully toned, with darkness around the devices that makes the details pop. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Louis Hudson." 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 13.59 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7441, KM-25; Cal-519.
- 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.
Link to: