Guatemala 1766-G P 2 reales
Shown is a 1766 two reales from the Guatemala mint, of a type issued 1760-1771. The first was lot 8347 in the June 2011 Baltimore Auction – Sale #92 by Stacks Bowers Auctions, where it sold for $184. Gilboy[1] notes this date as 'S2' or scarce. This example is holed, as is common. The second specimen was lot 21126 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $3,120. The catalog description[2] noted, "GUATEMALA. 2 Reales, 1766-G P. Guatemala Mint. Charles III. NGC EF-45. The sole finest certified example of this date yet seen by NGC, the present example delivers a bold strike and limited evidence of handling, with just a soft and even circulation observed on the high elements of the design. A battleship gray color is seen on the surfaces, with much mint glossiness retained throughout. A wonderfully charming and entirely wholesome example that is assured a plethora of excited bids from any specialist in the Guatemala series."
Mexican numismatists hotly debate which side of the coin constitutes the obverse. Gilboy[1] depicts the shield side as the obverse as that side bears the king's name. However, auction catalogs and dealer listings more frequently use the pillars and globes side as the obverse, as that side bears the date.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.917 fine silver, 0.1995 oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11486, G-2-14, KM-25; Cal-552.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- [1]Gilboy, Frank F., The Milled Columnarios of Central and South America: Spanish American Pillar Coinage, 1732 to 1772, Regina, Saskatchewan: Prairie Wind Publishing, 1999.
- Yonaka, Brad, A Variety Guide to the Pillar Coinage of the Guatemala, Bogota, Lima, Potosi, and Santiago Mints, 1752-1771, Long Beach, CA: Agorocu Consulting, 2018.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- 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.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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