Maracaibo (1813) 1/4 real
This specimen was lot 41635 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted,
"VENEZUELA. Maracaibo. 1/4 Real, ND (1813). NGC VF-35. A nicely preserved example of this crudely made type is unevenly struck with attractive mottled brown and brassy colored patina. A handsome survivor of this difficult to locate type that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters.
According to new research, which included reading through many contemporary documents in Spain's institutions, well-known collector Luis Ponte has determined the Maracaibo attribution (previously they had also been attributed to Mexico and Santo Domingo) on this issue is incorrect, and that they were in fact made for Cuba and circulated in Puerto Rico as well. To learn more, please view Luis' presentation (see 2:35:53 for specific mention), which was recently given in conjunction with the Cartagena MMXXI conference."
Until the numismatic community reaches a consensus, we will follow the SCWC in listing this and the accompanying 2/4 real (KM 2) under Maracaibo.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM-1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Stohr, Tomas, Catalogo de Monedas, Ensayos, Fichas y Resellos de Venezuela, Caracas, 1975.
- Stohr, Tomas, Macuquinas de Venezuela, Caracas, 1992.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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