Bolivia 1691-P VR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71157 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1691-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Pedro de Villar (VR). Charles II. PCGS AU-55. A finely detailed and enticing cob. The well-preserved obverse includes both mintmarks, both assayer's monograms, the denomination, and the central date, all of which are well-struck and entirely legible. The reverse retains its mintmark, assayer's monogram, and date along with the final part of the monarch's name and complete ordinal. The surfaces are toned to a deep gunmetal color, a lovely canvas from which to admire the fullness of this coin's excellent details. A clearly superior cob, sure to attract spirited bidding. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Carlos Janson." 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.64 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7493, KM-25; Cal-538.
- 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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