Bolivia 1688-P VR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71155 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1688-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Pedro de Villar (VR). Charles II. PCGS AU-50. Struck on an irregular flan, but quite tantalizingly sharp. The obverse shows two strong mintmarks, two assayer monograms, denomination, and a bold central date. The reverse retains most of the monarch's name, with a crisp assayer's monogram and date. The castles and lions present handsomely around the central cross. The surfaces carry a lovely uniform gray toning with a hint of rosiness. A beautiful coin, and unusually heavy for the type. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Kurt Spanier, circa 1989." This type was struck in the name of the degenerate Charles II 1667-1700. Assayer de Villar stamped coins with a "V" 1679-84 and a "VR" 1684-97. We don't know why this specimen is so overweight.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 15.68 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7482, KM-25; Cal-535.
- 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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