Bolivia 1693-P VR 2 reales cob
The first specimen is a two reales cob minted at the Potosí mint in 1693 during the reign of Charles II. It was lot 12450 in Heritage sale 339 (Orlando, January 2004), where it sold for $920. The catalog description[1] noted, "Carlos II 2 Reales 1693-VR Corazon, VF and holed, struck on a heart-shaped planchet and very rare. Ex-Ponterio Auction 42, lot 586. A very attractive example of this presentation issue. From the Morris Geiger Collection." Heart shaped cobs were struck by request for use as jewelry, hence the hole is usual. When these became fashionable, jewelers made their own by cutting down normal cobs; these are distinguished from the original mint product by their light weight. The second specimen was lot 263 in Aureo sale 261 (Barcelona, July 2014), where it sold for €260 (about US$417 with buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"1693. Carlos II. Potosí. VR. 2 reales. Nombre del rey y ceca visibles. Rara así. EBC-. (Charles II, 1665-1700, two reales cob of 1693, Potosí mint. King's name and mintmark visible, rare thus, about extremely fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.931 fine silver, .202 troy oz ASW; this specimen: 4.52 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7398, Cal. 624, KM 24.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 440: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2007.
- [2]Sisó, Teresa, Eduardo Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Pública 261, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó Subastas, 2014.
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