Bolivia 1709-P Y 2 reales
This specimen was lot 44030 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. "Royal" Presentation Cob 2 Reales, 1709-P Y. Potosi Mint. Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Holed, VF Details. A VERY RARE 'royal' striking for this minor denomination, particularly with this date. Despite some moderate wear from circulation, the coin retains excellent overall clarity with a contrasting dark tone surrounding the devices. A small perforation at 1 o'clock is noted for completeness. From the S.P. Rutherford Collection." 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 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 cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 in 1728. Assayer "Y" is listed for 1701-27.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 6.33 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8647, KM-R29 (Unlisted date); Cal-842.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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