Bolivia 1868-PTS FE 1/2 scudo
This specimen was lot 1101 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $2300. The catalog description[1] noted,
"1868 FE 1/2 escudo. Potosi mint. MS-65 (NGC). Eagle atop oval arms, furled flags, spears, cannon behind, REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA around, stars below/central wreath, denomination and fineness within, legend around, mintmark, date, assayer's mark beneath. Highly lustrous medium gold, well struck throughout, a superb specimen. Better struck than the Norweb coin, which realized just under $1,000 in 1997. A highly elusive one year pattern issue, based on an abortive attempt to reintroduce the escudo denomination. From J.C. Morgenthau and Co. (Wayte Raymond)'s sale of the Waldo C. Newcomer collection, February 1935, Lot 40 (unplated, called 'Uncirculated. Rare.' and realized $18); John H. Clapp Collection; Clapp estate to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., 1942."
This type was struck the one year only, probably as an experiment; it is lighter than previous half escudos of 1834-56, which were 1.7 grams.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.25 g, 0.900 fine gold, .036 troy oz AGW; this specimen: 1.26 grams, 14.60 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 140, Fr-39.
- Almanzar, Alcedo, and Dale Seppa, Coins of Bolivia, 1820-1970, San Antonio, TX: 1970.
- [1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to:
- 1846 ½ scudo
- 1867 boliviano
- 1868 boliviano, eleven stars
- 1868 scudo
- Coins and currency dated 1868
- other specimens in The Eliasberg Collection
- return to coins of Bolivia