Guatemala 1845-G 1/4 real
This specimen was lot 41142 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $504. The catalog description[1] noted, "GUATEMALA. Central American Republic. 1/4 Real, 1845-G. Nueva Guatemala Mint. NGC FINE-12. A RARE offering for this KEY DATE in the series. Though it is a well-circulated example, the coin is free from any problem or defect and presents the all-important date boldly. Deep cabinet tone lends to its rustic yet wholesome charm. A great opportunity for a collector to fill a longstanding gap in their date set. From the EMO Collection." This type is filed under the Central American Republic but, except for a rare 1845 issue from Costa Rica, all were struck in Guatemala. The denomination seems to have been popular in Guatemala, as silver cuartillas were struck in colonial times 1796-1821, under the Central American Republic 1824-51 and by the Republic of Guatemala 1859-99, being the last country to abandon the denomination. Most Central American coins saw hard use and are very rare in uncirculated, but hoards of this type have been found, rendering this coin quite affordable in nice condition altho the 1845 is a rare date.
Recorded mintage: unknown but the key date.
Specification: 0.85 g, 0.896 fine silver.
Catalog reference: EMO-2813 (Plate coin); KM-1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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