Bolivia 1774-PTS JR 4 reales
The first specimen was lot 71267 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 4 Reales, 1774-PTS JR. Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. Variety without crosslet 4. Shallow surface abrasions on the obverse attest to the cleaning applied to this 4 Reales piece. That aside, the coin displays outstanding detail and luster. The surfaces show a striking marbled tone with mauve and pale yellow hues. A beautiful coin in spite of its flaws. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Harvey Bruns, circa 1968." The second specimen was lot 71512 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $900. The catalog description[1] noted,
"GREAT BRITAIN. Great Britain - Bolivia. 1/2 Dollar, ND (1797). George III. PCGS EF-40; Countermark: AU Details. Bank of England issue. Type I countermark; bust of George III within oval indent on a 1774-PTS JR Bolivia 4 Reales of Charles III. The Potosi 4 Reales that serves as host coin displays satisfying details and nice olive toning. The British countermark is deeply struck, creating a protrusion on the opposite side. Within the oval depression lies a sharply detailed miniature bust of the monarch, pleasingly undisturbed. An attractive example with abundant visual interest. From the Pat Johnson Collection."
This is an early example of a type struck 1773-89 at Potosi, Bolivia (then called Upper Peru). It was replaced in 1791 by the bust of Charles IV. Harris[2] notes that Potosi four reales of Charles III are the commonest mint, with twice as many as Mexico City. Recent hoard finds have only increased this number.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11770, KM-54; Cal-931. With counterstamp: S-3767; KM-622.1.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- [2]Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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