La Rioja 1838-R 8 reales
This specimen is one of a series struck 1838-40 for the province of La Rioja in Argentina. The date is recorded in coin rotation (normal) and medal rotation (rare). The reverse legend, "ETERNO LOOR AL RESTAURADOR ROSAS," is Spanish for "Eternal luster to the restorer [of liberty] Rosas." The early years of independence were torn by struggles between the centralists in Buenos Aires and regionalists in La Rioja, Cordoba, Salta and elsewhere who even issued their own coinage. The second specimen (which may actually be the same coin as the first) was lot 23010 in Heritage sale 3020 (Long Beach, September 2012), where it sold for $10,575. The catalog description[1] noted, "La Rioja. Provisional 8 Reales 1838R, MS65 NGC, coin rotation, a spectacular example with full mint brilliance and gorgeous blue-green and russet patina. The design features are impeccably sharp with every stone on the mountain boldly defined. Very possibly the finest known, both in terms of technical grade and drop dead eye appeal."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM 8 (filed under La Rioja).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
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