Guatemala 1747-G J 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71533 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, 1747-G. Guatemala Mint; Assayer Jose de Leon y Losa (J). Ferdinand VI. PCGS Genuine--Holed, VF Details. Guatemala (Central American Republic) Type II Countermark; sun over mountains within circular border. Countermark grade: VF Details. An intriguing piece showcasing two distinct periods of Guatemalan history. The cob host coin is quite well-preserved and pleasingly detailed despite being struck on a compact planchet and holed, as typical. Its surfaces are toned to a deep gunmetal gray and display the full date along with the assayer's initial and most of the crowned arms on the reverse. The countermark is fully struck, albeit from a somewhat worn die. An appealing example of this interesting countermarked issue. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type was issued from Guatemala 1747-53 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 11.97 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-10474, KM-11; Cal-345; KM-87.2 (for countermark).
- 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.
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