Costa Rica 1850-JB 1/4 peso
This specimen was lot 24531 in Heritage sale 3032 (Chicago, April 2014), where it sold for $499.38. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic 1/4 Peso 1850-JB, San Jose mint, AU58 NGC. An unusually high grade for this type - although this is the most available date by far - showing the faintest of rubbing in the highest points with much mint bloom remaining. While higher graded examples are known to exist, this piece is currently the finest graded by NGC." Costa Rica officially switched from the peso to the colon in 1897, which currency was reformed again in 1917 and 1920. This type was struck 1850, 1853 and 1855 and is not rare in low grade. It was superseded by a twenty-five centavos piece (KM 106).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.4 g, 0.903 fine silver, .185 troy oz ASW, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 103, Y-7.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3032, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gurdian, Raul, Contribucion al Estudio de las Monedas de Costa Rica: 100 Años de Colon, 2a Ed., San José, Costa Rica, 1997.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
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