La Rioja 1840-R 8 reales KM-8
This specimen was lot 40069 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, August 2026), where it sold for $1,037. The catalog description[1] noted, "ARGENTINA. La Rioja. 8 Reales, 1840-R. La Rioja Mint. NGC AU Details--Privately Countermarked. A wonderful 8 Reales that presents quite well, with charming details and limited actual handling. The noted countermark refers to a singular "9" punch in the left field, though this minor detraction does little to dim this coin's appeal." This specimen is one of a series struck 1838-40 for the province of La Rioja in Argentina. The reverse legend, "ETERNO LOOR AL RESTAURADOR ROSAS," is Spanish for "Eternal luster to the restorer [of liberty] Rosas." Another peso of 1840, KM 10, was struck when the state governor rebelled against Rosas' dictatorship. The latter is referred to in Argentina's numismatic references as the "Unitarian" type, whereas KM 8 is referenced as the "Federal" type.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-8; CJ-57.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- Janson, Hector Carlos, La Moneda Circulante En El Territorio Argentino, 1767-1998, Buenos Aires, 1998.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Ferrari, Jorge N., Amonedación de la Rioja, 1838-1860, Vol. II, Buenos Aires, 1964.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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