Guatemala 1738-G J 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71524 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $456. The catalog description[1] noted, "GUATEMALA. Cob 4 Reales, 1738-G. Guatemala Mint; Assayer Jose de Leon y Losa (J). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Salt Water Damage, EF Details. A lightly handled piece despite its present saltwater corrosion. The full date is visible on the obverse, and the crisp details of the reverse crowned arms emphasize how briefly this piece circulated before its saltwater submersion. The surfaces are deeply toned to gunmetal gray with small areas of vibrant magenta iridescence. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type was issued from Guatemala 1733-46 and is not at all common. The pieces are often called cobs but aren't really as they were not struck by the hammer but in a screw press. The mint did not have the equipment to cut round blanks and edge them as Mexico was doing, so this was the best they could do.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.40 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9108, KM-5; Cal-1009.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- Jara, Carlos M., Historia de la Casa de Moneda de Guatemala 1731-1776, Santiago, Chile: Andros Impresores, 2010.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- Robinson, Charles, The Coins of Central America, 1733-1965, San Benito, TX: 1965.
- Stickney, Brian, A Monetary History of Central America, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2017.
- [1]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: