Bolivia 1839-PTS LR 8 soles
This specimen was lot 32429 in Heritage sale 3073 (Chicago, April 2019), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic 8 Soles 1839 PTS-LR MS62 NGC, Potosi mint. A generally difficult date-assayer combination in Mint State grades, particularly when encountered so frosty white, only an adjustment mark across Bolivar's figure and a smattering of contact marks keeping it just shy of choice, while the fields appear bold with die polish and flow lines." This type was struck in substantial quantities 1827-40 after Bolivian independence. It is common. This coin often comes poorly struck on bad planchets; this specimen is above average. Assayer LM also exists for 1839 and is slightly more common. Later eight soles were struck to the same weight standard until 1859, when the weight was lowered to 20 grams. Bolivia converted to decimal coinage in 1864.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a slightly better date.
Specification: 27 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 97.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Almanzar, Alcedo, and Dale Seppa, Coins of Bolivia, 1820-1970, San Antonio, TX: 1970.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3073, featuring the Lake County Collection of British coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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