Mexico 1639-Mo P 4 reales
The first specimen was lot 514 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 28 (Winter Park, FL, November 2020), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mexico City, Mexico, cob 4 reales, 1639/8P, very rare, ex-Concepcion (1641), ex-Rudman. Choice specimen for this wreck (100% corrosion-free), with very bold full date and obvious overdate (first we have seen in this denomination), full oMP, nearly full cross, deeply toned Fine on an odd flan (squarish with four points, one blunted, the sides beveled as made, also somewhat convex. From the Concepcion (1641) and pedigreed to the Isaac Rudman numismatic cabinet." The second specimen was lot 71658 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[2] noted,
"MEXICO. Cob 4 Reales, 1639/8-Mo. Mexico City Mint, Assayer P. Philip IV. PCGS Genuine--Salt Water Damage, Fine Details. This rather crude Cob nonetheless offers some bold detail. The mintmark and assayer's initial are large and clearly displayed along with the full date which exhibits an unmistakable overdate. The saltwater corrosion is mostly limited to the peripheries, and the reverse cross is quite presentable. The surfaces are lightly toned with intermingled warm hues. A charming salvaged coin despite its roughness. From the Pat Johnson Collection."
The SCWC lists this type for 1622-65 but does not mention this overdate. Assayer P is noted for 1634-65. Unlike those of Bolivia, few of these early cobs have legible dates.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 13.28 g, the second specimen 12.95 g.
Catalog reference: S-M19; KM-38 (unlisted overdate); Cal-unl, Cayón-6068; Cal-1062.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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 28, featuring the Dr. Peter Jones and John O'Brien collections, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
- [2]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.
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