Bolivia 1733-P YA 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34023 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[1] noted,
"BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1733-P YA. Potosi Mint, Assayer (purportedly) Francisco de Yllana (YA). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, AU Details. One of only a few certified examples of the date on either the NGC or PCGS census. This boldly struck example features a broad planchet with three full complete dates, two denominations, two Assayer's letters, three mint marks, both pillars and the majority of the cross and quadrilobe. The lions and castles, though clear in three quarters of the cross, is slightly doubled in the lower-left quadrant somewhat obscuring the lion there. Also present are the last two letters of the monarchs name and their ordinal 'VS*V' adding another layer to its desirability. Close inspection reveals thick black patina and minor encrustation and earthen deposits accounting for the details designation, but is quite pleasant and original looking. Despite its shortcomings this handsome survivor offers a pleasing appearance with many desirable attributes that are highly sought after from this series. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Ernesto Sellschopp Collection (Swiss Bank Corp - 8/1988) Lot # 879 (part of)."
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. Assayer "YA" is listed on four reales for 1733 only. Assayer "E" (1733-37) is also noted for the year.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a scarce date.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.80 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9077, KM-30A; Cal-1185; CJ-44.6.2.
- 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, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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