Bolivia 1777-PTS PR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71274 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 4 Reales, 1777-PTS PR. Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS EF-45. A handsome 4 Reales piece with sharp details and a well-presented portrait. The smoky dark patina and remaining luster on the fields work in concert to accentuate the crisply struck devices. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Darwin Palmer Collection." This is an 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. Assayer PR is listed for 1776-95. 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-11791, KM-54; Cal-935.
- 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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