Chile 1851-So LA 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 1015 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 39 (Winter Park, FL, May 2026), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "CHILE, Santiago, ½ real, 1851 LA, NGC MS 65 (Colección Val y Mexía Label), finest known in NGC census, ex-Whittier. Lightly rainbow toned over luster, die variety with small mintmark, rare gem grade with good pedigree. Pedigreed to the Whittier Collection (stated on the label) and to the Val y Mexía Collection." This type was struck 1844-51. The design, with a condor tearing the chains of slavery, is also found on one real, 2 reales and 8 reales coins of the period. This design is very popular with collectors and brings quite a bit more than the rather low catalog values. This example realized nine times the catalog value.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.6 g, 0.902 fine silver, 15.7 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-98.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Auction 39, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Jorge Ugaz Collection of Lima Silver Cob 2 Reales and the Darby Collection of Guatemala Silver Cobs, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2026.
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