Bolivia 1735-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34024 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted,
"BOLIVIA. "Royal" Presentation Cob 4 Reales, 1735-P E. Potosi Mint, Assayer Esteban Gutierrez Escalante (E). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Holed, AU Details. The only certified example of the date in this format on either the NGC or PCGS census. This nicely preserved and well-made example boasts a strong strike on a somewhat compact flan. Minor strike doubling muddles some of the design features such as the last two digits of the central date and mint marks. The cross and castles and lions are bold and complete with clear denomination, Assayer's letter and mint mark as well as a nearly complete quadrilobe and slightly distorted date. Most of the letters are off the planchet and though there is a four-digit date, the tops are over the edge. A hole on the left side of the middle digit on the reverse accounts for the details designation. Despite its shortcomings a handsome example of the type displaying light gray tone with a richer slate patina in the protected areas and crevasses. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Paul Karon."
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 "E" is noted for 1733-37.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.16 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9094, KM-R30A; Cal-Type-143; CJ-R44.8.
- 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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