Bolivia 1784-PTS PR 2 escudos
This specimen was lot 846 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 38 (Winter Park, FL, November 2025), where it sold for $3,360. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Potosí, gold bust 2 escudos, Charles III, 1784 PR, rare, NGC AU 50, finest known in NGC census, ex-Eliasberg. Broad flan with complete rims and full details enhanced by toning in crevices, just some light wear on high points, problem-free and very original-looking with warm gold color all over, a generally rare and low-mintage type (just 918 coins in this year), desirable pedigree. Pedigreed to the Eliasberg Collection (stated on label)." While silver coins from Bolivia exist in vast quantities, gold from Bolivia is scarce. For the colonial period, Colombia may be regarded as the most prolific issuer, followed by Mexico, followed by Peru. Bolivia, Chile and Guatemala are minor sources. This type was minted 1779-88 and is rare. In 1785, the alloy was debased from 0.901 to 0.875 fine gold. The assayer PR appears for 1776-95.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.901 fine gold, 23 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Cayón-12531, Janson-70.7; Cal-527; KM-57; Fr-4.
- 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.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 38, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Jorge Ugaz Collection of Lima Silver Cob 2 Reales and the Darby Collection of Guatemala Silver Cobs, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2025.
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