Guatemala 1867-R 2 reales
This specimen was lot 71015 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Santa Ana, CA, May 2018), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "GUATEMALA. 2 Reales, 1867-R. NGC MS-65. A lovely gem. Lightly toned and free of defects. Light russet tone on obverse, dripping with luster and highly attractive." This is the fourth silver two reales struck in Guatemala since the issue of colonial two reales ceased in 1821. Guatemala retained the real as a division of the peso until 1912, long after her neighbors had converted to decimal coinage. Indeed, attempts by the government in the 1870's to issue decimal coins (such as the 50 centavos of 1870) were failures. The portrait is of Rafael Carrera, cattle rustler, bandit, guerrilla leader and finally President of the Republic. The coin is common in circulated condition. Two reales dated 1860-69 exist with el Presidente's portrait. The denomination was reduced to 0.835 fine silver in 1881.
Recorded mintage: 293,000.
Specification: 6.1 g, 0.903 fine silver, .177 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-142.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The May 2018 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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