Chile 1815-So FJ 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34062 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[1] noted,
"CHILE. 4 Reales, 1815-So FJ. Santiago Mint. Ferdinand VII. PCGS AU-50. The single finest certified of the date on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. A nicely preserved and attractive example of the final date for the issue offering boldly struck well-formed devices. The surfaces are smooth with wear primarily contained to the high points and exposed areas displaying rich slate patina with areas of lighter gray. When rotating in the light hints of luster in the protected areas and a slight iridescent sheen pop out adding to its pleasing appearance and desirability. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Jascha Heifetz Collection (Superior - 12/1989) Lot # 656."
This specimen is one of a series struck 1808-15 in Santiago, Chile, during the reign of Charles IV. The assayer FJ appears for 1803-17. The bust of Charles IV was used throughout the series even tho the bust of Ferdinand VII appears on the two reales, eight reales and eight escudos. 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: 10,000.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.896 fine silver, .390 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-15715, KM-67; Cal-1124.
- 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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