Bolivia 1676-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71140 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $456. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1676-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Charles II. PCGS VF-35. The obverse of this deeply toned cob was struck somewhat off-center, leaving the upper detail off-flan. However, the unusual strike allowed both the central date and the last two digits of the seldom-seen outer legend date to remain bold and clear. One crisp mintmark remains on each side of the coin, as well as a partial date and rather clear assayer's initial on the reverse. An altogether attractive and easily identifiable cob. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Mike Dunigan." 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 13.20 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7443, KM-25; Cal-520.
- 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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