Bolivia 1764-P V 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.
This specimen was lot 928 in Sedwick Treasure sale 23 (Winter Park, FL, May 2018), where it sold for $320. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1764V-Y. Bold full cross, full but slightly off-center pillars with two clear dates on that side (rare thus), AXF with contrasting sediment in crevices, typically opposing areas of surface roughness (as made) on both sides."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.917 silver, 0.798 oz ASW. This specimen 27.12 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11930, KM-45; S-P57; KM-45; CT-951.
- 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.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosi, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 23, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2018.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Links to: