Bolivia 1696-P VR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71163 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1696-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Pedro de Villar (VR). Charles II. PCGS Genuine--Surfaces Smoothed, EF Details. An eye-catching Cob with abundant detail. While the noted surface smoothing is fairly evident, the well-preserved details are strong enough to stand on their own. The obverse offers two bold dates along with equally clear mintmark, denomination, and assayer's monogram. The reverse shows a pleasing crown, denomination, and upper castle and lion. An attractively toned and satisfyingly detailed piece. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Kurt Spanier." 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 13.57 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7509, KM-25; Cal-543.
- 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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