Mexico (1556-98)-Mo F 1/2 real
The first specimen was lot 633 in Sedwick sale 34 (Winter Park, FL, November 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mexico City, Mexico, cob 1/2 real, Philip II, assayer F to right, mintmark oM to left, new monogram (retrograde L) with rosette above middle, extremely rare. Bold full monogram with clear rosette between tops of P and L (first we have seen), choice full crown, good full cross, VF with light old scratches, solder damage on edge above monogram. Pedigreed to the Clyde Hubbard Collection of Mexican silver cobs, accompanied by original tag or holder." The second specimen was lot 634 in Sedwick sale 34 (Winter Park, FL, November 2023), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mexico City, Mexico, cob 1/2 real, Philip II, assayer F to right, mintmark oM to left, new monogram (retrograde L) with S above middle, rare. Good full monogram with bold full S between tops of P and L, clear assayer F to right, full king's ordinal II flanked by ringlets, good full cross with bold rosette after REX in legend, richly toned AVF with stress-cracks on cross side. Pedigreed to the Clyde Hubbard Collection of Mexican silver cobs, accompanied by original tag or holder." This type was not dated and the terms of service of the various assayers ("F" in this case) are still hotly disputed.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen is 1.28 grams; the second specimen is 1.73 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3399, S-M12; KM-20; Cal-131.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- Calicó, Xavier, Numismática Española: Catálogo General con Precios de Todas las Monedas Españolas Acuñadas desde Los Reyes Católicos Hasta Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 34, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2023.
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