Bolivia 1855-PTS MJ 2 soles
This specimen was lot 1183 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $665.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Republic. 1825-present. AR 2 Soles. Potosí mint. Manuel Berrios and Joaquin Zemborain, assayer. Dated 1855 PTS MJ. In NGC encapsulation graded AU 50. Mottled moderate toning somewhat uneven. Very choice and very original. Appears to be a tad under-graded. None graded higher and extremely scarce type. Ex Norweb Collection (Christie’s Dallas, 6 November 1985), lot 598 (part of)." The Potosi mint produced these debased two soles coins 1854-58. These coins, along with contemporary issues from La Paz mint, flooded South America and were denounced by Bolivia's neighbors, to no avail. Though the Potosi mint would eventually reform the coinage and produce standard silver weights, La Paz mint would close.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 6.2 g, 0.667 fine silver, this specimen Ø26 mm, 6.90 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 121.2; Y 4a.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
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