Bolivia 1884-PTS FE 50 centavos
This specimen was lot 34035 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $4,800. The catalog description[1] noted,
"BOLIVIA. 50 Centavos (1/2 Boliviano), 1884-PTS FE. Potosi Mint. PCGS PROOF-67+ Cameo. The single finest certified of the date in this format on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. Beautifully preserved, this stunning specimen exhibits a richly toned obverse while the reverse remains mostly bright. The surfaces are smooth and highly reflective with frosted devices adding a bit of contrast to this pristine example. Clearly given great care, this lovely proof issue is vastly superior than normally encountered and is certain to see spirited bidding. From the Pat Johnson Collection."
This silver fifty centavos, roughly equal to a half dollar, was struck in Potosi 1884-91. It was superseded by a very similar coin (KM 161.5) issued 1891-1900. This type is common tho varieties abound. Assayer FE is recorded for 1872-90, assayer CB is recorded for 1890-94, 1897-99 and assayer ES for 1894-97.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 11.50 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-161.4.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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