Ecuador 1845-MV A 4 reales
The first specimen was part of lot 34252 in Heritage sale 3038 (Dallas, January 2015), which sold for $1,292.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic Lot of Six Different 4 Reales Coins 1841 1842 1843 1845 1855 1857, Average grade is Fine, some cleaned. 1845 is VG and very scarce." The second specimen was lot 71495 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[2] noted, "ECUADOR. 4 Reales, 1845-MV A. Quito Mint. PCGS Genuine--Rim Damage, VF Details. A SCARCE one-year type, usually encountered in lower grade than this evenly worn example. Details such as the fine hair of the bust and the intricate reverse shield remain quite sharp. The noted rim damage does not intrude upon the details and is common for the issue. This nicely toned example is a great representative of the type. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type was struck 1845 only and marks the nadir of Ecuadorean coin production. It is crudely engraved, badly struck, lightweight and debased, similar to the infamous Bolivian four reales of 1830. William Jameson (assayer GJ) returned to the mint in 1847 and matters improved somewhat.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 11.7 g, 0.667 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-29.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3038, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to:
- 1844 4 reales
- 1845 8 escudos
- Coins and currency dated 1845
- return to coins of Ecuador