Chile 1805-So FJ 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34061 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $1,560. The catalog description[1] noted,
"CHILE. 4 Reales, 1805-So FJ. Santiago Mint. Charles IV. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. The finest certified of the date of only three on either the NGC or PCGS population reports, two are details designated (NGC EF Details and PCGS AU Details[present coin]) and PCGS VF-35. Boldly struck with well-formed design features, this handsome example is far nicer than normally encountered for this type. The rich mottled patina offers a pleasing appearance with hints of luster remaining in the protected areas. Close inspection reveals evidence of a past cleaning long since tone over indicative of prolonged storage, while the fields to the right of the bust exhibit tasteful smoothing and light scratches are noticed in the area under the arms of Spain, all matching the rest of the coin. Despite its shortcomings a presentable example of this highly desirable type that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Louis Collins."
This specimen is one of a series struck 1792-1808 in Santiago, Chile, during the reign of Charles IV. The assayer FJ appears for 1803-17. The opening of an enlarged Casa de Moneda in 1805 allowed the increase in mintages and this type is not rare. The Spanish were expelled in 1817. Some colonial types were restruck by the republicans during the early 1820's but it is unlikely the four reales was included. No republican four reales is known to exist.
Recorded mintage: 9,000.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.896 fine silver, .390 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-13801, KM-60; Cal-869.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 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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