Bolivia 1897-PTS ES 50 centavos
This specimen was lot 71347 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $120. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 50 Centavos (1/2 Boliviano), 1897-PTS ES. Potosi Mint. PCGS MS-64. A lightly toned example with satiny surfaces and delicate details. Just a handful of tiny marks on the fields can count against this attractive near-Gem. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This silver fifty centavos, roughly equal to a half dollar, was struck in Potosi 1891-1900. It superseded a very similar coin (KM 161.4) issued 1884-91. This type is common tho varieties abound. Truly uncirculated specimens are scarce.
Recorded mintage: 2,300,000 including assayer CB.
Specification: 11.5 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-161.5.
- 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 November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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