Bolivia 1872-PTS FE 5 centavos
The first specimen was lot 1241 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $242. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA, Republic. 1825-present. AR 5 Centavos. Potosí mint. Fortunato Equivar, assayer. Dated 1872 PTS FE. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 67. Lovely uncirculated specimen moderately toned. Superb gem UNC. Highest ever graded. Scarce variety. Purchased from Freeman Craig, December 1977." The third specimen was lot 70347 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2022), where it sold for $80. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA. 5 Centavos, 1872-PTS FE. Potosi Mint. NGC F-12. KM 156. Variety with 11 stars on obverse. Very well handled, but still with all details discernable. A great overall example of this tough minor denomination." This type was struck 1872 only as part of Bolivia's second decimal coinage. The obverse was modified to show nine stars instead of the previous eleven. Later in 1872, the reverse was modified to read "LA UNION ES LA FUERZA".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.15 g, 0.900 fine silver, the first specimen Ø15 mm, 1.17 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 156.3.
- Almanzar, Alcedo, and Dale Seppa, Coins of Bolivia, 1820-1970, San Antonio, TX: 1970.
- 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.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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