Guatemala 1851-G 1/4 real
This specimen was lot 993 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 28 (Winter Park, FL, November 2020), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Guatemala (Central American Republic), 1/4 real, 1851, rare, PCGS XF40. With modest wear and surface hairlines but no big problems, key final date (simply listed as RARE in KM) of entire Central American Republic coinage struck at this mint, missing in many good collections." 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 1824-28, 1831-33, 1837-51 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. No varieties are recorded for this date.
Reported Mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 0.85 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Coins of Central America, Silver and Copper, 1824-1940, New York: Wayte Raymond Inc., 1941.
- 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]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 28, featuring the Dr. Peter Jones and John O'Brien collections, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
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