Bolivia 1683-P V 8 reales
The first specimen was lot 505 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 26 (Winter Park, FL, November 2019), where it sold for $773.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1683V, NGC AU 58. Choice centers with original luster under very light toning, flat peripheries (except for part of king's name) with two small edge-splits, two dates and mintmarks, three assayers." The second specimen was lot 40072 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, August 2026), where it sold for $7,930. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA. 'Royal' Presentation Cob 8 Reales, 1683-P V. Potosi Mint. Charles II. NGC EF Details--Plugged. Despite being plugged in its rather ubiquitous hole for the type, this elegantly produced crown stands as a VERY RARE and desirable type. Well centered and only evenly circulated, this example offers the level of craftsmanship for which the 'royal' types are known, and does so with great flair and beauty." This type was struck 1667-1701 for Charles II. It superseded the shield/cross type which was discredited in the debasement scandal of the 1630's and 1640's. Royals, struck for presentation, are all rare and nearly always come holed.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 27.82 g, the second specimen 26.68 g.
Catalog reference: S-P39; KM-26; CT-365, Cayón-7595. The second specimen is KM-R26; Cal-679.
- 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, vol. 1, 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.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 26, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2019.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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