Bolivia 1704-P Y 8 reales
The Spanish colony of Upper Peru produced hammered cob coinage at the Potosí mint from 1573 to 1773, with a major debasement scandal and subsequent reform occurring in 1649-1652. The period 1767-1770 saw simultaneous issue of milled columnarios. The royal or presentation issues are very rare and highly sought after, while the regular strikes vary in price according to the visibility of the date, mint, and assayer initials.
The specimen shown was lot 598 at Cayon Subastas auction held February 4, 2012, where it sold for 300 euros (about US$466 with buyer’s fees). The catalog description[1] noted "Potosí. 8 reales. 1704. Y. Dos fechas visibles. BC+/MBC. Escasa. (Potosi 8 reales, 1704-Y. Two dates visible. Fine to very fine. Scarce)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.9310 silver, 0.8103 oz ASW. This specimen 27.2 g.
Catalog reference: KM-31; Cayón-9184, Plt311.
- 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.
- [1]Cayon Subastas, Auction February 2012: Highly Important Collection of Spanish and Latin American 8 Reales and other Coins from the Spanish Empire, Madrid: Cayon Subastas, 2012.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
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