Bolivia 1786-PTS PR 4 reales
This specimen was lot 75068 in Stack's Bowers June 2026 World Premier Collectors Choice Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2026), where it sold for $149. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 4 Reales, 1786-PTS PR. Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS FINE-15. From the Richard August 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. In 1786, the alloy was slightly debased, from 0.903 to 0.896 fine.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.896 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11861, KM-54; Cal-956.
- [2]Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, June 2026 World Premier Collectors Choice Auction - Selections from the L.E. Bruun Collection, the Richard Margolis Collection and the Kirk Menczer Collection of Republican Reales Minors, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2026.
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