Mexico (1589-98)-Mo F 4 reales
This specimen was lot 71641 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $528. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1589-98)-Mo F. Mexico City Mint. Philip II. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, AU Details. This Cob is struck on a ragged planchet but contains generous and boldly-struck detail. The obverse shows an impressive Habsburg shield along with sharp and clear mintmark, denomination, and initial. The reverse is just as pleasing, offering a bold cross with castles and lions along with an unbroken 'IISPANIARV' on the legend. The surfaces are attractively toned to a light gray with darker highlights around the devices. A small corroded cavity on the obverse rim accounts for the grade, but is easily overlooked due to the detail and eye appeal this charming coin otherwise displays. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type was not dated and the terms of service of the various assayers ("F" in this case) are still hotly disputed. Assayer "F" can appear on the left (shown here) or the right of the shield (Cayón-3746). In 1728, cobs were debased from .931 to 0.917 fine silver.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.73 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 12.87 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3747, KM-36; Cal-508.
- 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- Utberg, Neil S., The Coins of Mexico, 1536-1963, San Antonio, TX, 1963.
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