Ecuador 1838-ST 1/2 real
This specimen is one of a series of half reales struck intermittently 1833-49. It is scarce, but not rare. All pre-decimal Ecuadorian coinage is hard to find and hotly pursued. It is lightweight and debased, similar to the infamous Bolivian half soles of 1830. The second specimen was lot 1295 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 35 (Winter Park, FL, May 2024), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "ECUADOR, Quito, 1/2 real, 1838 ST, NGC MS 65, finest known in NGC census, ex-Lissner. Perfect bold strike (including complete rims) with rich toning over luster, simply the best (none at PCGS), also a rare type, a jewel for the Latin American connoisseur. Pedigreed to the R.L. Lissner Collection (stated on label), and to the Floyd E. Wolfson Collection (Superior auction of June 1975, Lot 2062)."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.3 g, 0.667 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Seppa/Anderson-19; KM-22.
- 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 and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 35, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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