Bolivia 1849-PTS FM 8 soles
This specimen was lot 2044 in Sincona sale 33 (Zürich, October 2016), where it sold for 1,900 CHF (about US$2,256 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Republik 8 Soles 1849. Potosi Assayer FM. Fast FDC. PCGS MS 63. Feine Tönung. (republic of Bolivia, eight soles of 1849, Potosi mint, assayer FM. About uncirculated, Nice toning.)"
This type was struck in substantial quantities 1848-51 after Bolivian independence. It is slightly less common than the earlier laureate head designs (KM 97 and KM 103) but it is not rare. We don't see why this specimen realized the price noted. 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.
Specification: 27 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 109; C 62.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Dollars of North and South America, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1964.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 33, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.
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