Caracas '142' 2 reales
This is a specimen of a type issued by the royalists or republicans in Caracas, Venezuela. Like most local issues produced outside the major mints (Lima, Potosi, etc.), it usually comes crudely struck. This type is of the 'cob' style and has only three numbers representing the date. The city fell to the Colombians in 1821, who issued silver quarter reales (KM C31). Venezuela attained separate independence in 1830.
This specimen was lot 16233 in Heritage sale 3014 (Chicago, April 2011), where it sold for $1,380. The catalog description reads: "Caracas Macuquina 2 R '142' twins. silver cob-style 2 Reales with 'fantasy' date '142'. Very Fine examples of two similar but noticeably different varieties. Among many small differences is that one has 'M-L' flanking the value '2', while the other has 'L-M'. From The Dana Roberts Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.5-5.8 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM C13.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stohr, Tomas, El Circulante en la Capitania General de Venezuela, Caracas, Banco Central de Venezuela, 1998.
Link to: