Mexico 1634-Mo P 4 reales
This specimen was lot 215 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 26 (Winter Park, FL, November 2019), where it sold for $773.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mexico City, Mexico, cob 4 reales, 1634(?)P, Royal-like. Very similar to lot #649 of our Auction 20 (described as a "crude Royal" of 1637/6P) but apparently an earlier date, this piece is much rounder, broader and better-detailed than the typical issue of the period (yet not perfect like a full-fledged Royal), with choice full shield and cross, bold full oMP (slightly distorted strike) and denomination 4, full crown and clear 163 of date (last digit weak) plus much legend on reverse, elegantly toned and corrosion-free, obviously one of the top coins from this wreck in any case. Recovered from: Concepcion, sunk in 1641 off Hispaniola." This specimen is a silver cob four reales struck at Mexico City 1621-65. Specimens with clear dates are unusual. In 1728, cobs were debased from .931 to 0.917 fine silver.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.16 g.
Catalog reference: S-M19, KM 38, Cayón-unlisted.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, vol. 1, 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.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 26, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2019.
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