Bolivia 1809-PTS PJ 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 715 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 28 (Winter Park, FL, November 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potosi, Bolivia, bust 1/2 real, Charles IV, 1809PJ. Scarce key date (as most struck in this year were backdated to 1808), nicely struck AU with muted luster (mostly on reverse), parts of rims crude (as made)." This is an example of a type struck 1791-1809 at Potosi, Bolivia (then called Upper Peru). No half reales were struck 1810-13 as the mint was in the hands of the Argentine rebels. Charles IV abdicated in March 1808, so we don't know what prompted this issue and the accompanying four reales and one real. The 1809 eight reales has the bust of Ferdinand VII but was likely struck after 1813.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a scarce date.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.896 fine silver, this specimen 1.64 grams.
Catalog reference: Janson-80.21; KM-69; Cal-320, Cayón-13358.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 28, featuring the Dr. Peter Jones and John O'Brien collections, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
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