Bolivia 1784-PTS PR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71279 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 4 Reales, 1784/3-PTS PR. Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS EF-40. An appealing 4 Reales piece with a visible overdate. Some portions of the reverse devices and the high points of the portrait exhibit minor signs of wear, but do little to diminish the considerable eye appeal this coin offers. This example has a good looking gray tone with occasional hints of cobalt blue. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This is an example of a type struck 1773-89 at Potosi, Bolivia (then called Upper Peru). The overdate obtains no premium in the SCWC. 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-11849 (overdate), KM-54; Cal-950.
- 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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