Bolivia 1868-PTS FE boliviano
This specimen was lot 73117 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. Boliviano, 1868/7-PTS FE. Potosi Mint. NGC AU-58. NGC Census: 1, none finer. Presenting a delightful champagne-gray brilliance to the fields and satin textured devices, this attractive and boldly struck up Boliviano presents full detail from rims to centers. Preservation is also exceptional with surface quality tantalizingly close to Mint State. A true find for the Latin American specialist, this piece is sure to garner hefty bids." This specimen is from Bolivia's first decimal reform of 1864-69. This subtype has a slightly smaller diameter than the prior issue (KM 152.1, nine stars). Many patterns exist for 1868 (KM Pn6, Pn8, Pn9, Pn10, Pn11, Pn23, Pn24, Pn25, Pn26, Pn27, Pn28, Pn29, Pn30, Pn31, Pn32, Pn33, Pn34, Pn35, Pn36, Pn37). The silver boliviano effectively ended in 1875; later dates (1877, 1879, 1884, 1887, 1893) exist but they are very rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 35 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-152.2.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to: