Bolivia 1827-PTS JM 1/2 sol
The first specimen was lot 1923 in Stephen Album sale 37 (Santa Rosa, CA, June 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA: Republic, AR ½ sol, 1827-PTS, assayer JM, a lovely toned superb quality example! PCGS graded MS64." The second specimen was lot 70229 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2021), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA. 1/2 Sol, 1827-PTS JM. Potosi Mint. NGC MS-63. Variety with 'CONSTITUC'. Arresting coruscations of peripheral sapphire satisfactorily ring the warm amber-satin centers witnessed on this well produced minor. It is no surprise this piece is the single finest NGC has ever seen." Newcomers to Bolivian coins might think this type, issued 1827-29, to be as common as the well known 1830-PTS JL half sol (KM 93.2a) struck thru the 1830's and 1840's. Such is not the case.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.5 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-93.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 37, featuring the Gamal Amer Collection of Egyptian Coins and the Ahmed Sultan Collection of Ottoman Coins, Part II, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The October 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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