Mexico 1643-Mo P 4 reales
This specimen was lot 2053 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $78,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Incredible Royal 4 Reales of Philip IV, MEXICO. "Royal" Presentation Cob 4 Reales, 1643-Mo P. Mexico City Mint, Assayer P. Philip IV. NGC AU-53. The only example certified on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. An incredibly pretty presentation piece struck on a somewhat compact heavy planchet with slightly misaligned dies. Nearly every design detail is struck up and like most "Royal Coinage" the cob is round. Rich patina graces both sides of this very eye appealing and EXTREMELY RARE coin with minor earthen deposits amongst the devices and in the crevasses. Wholly original looking and attractive, this beautifully preserved specially prepared issue is sure to excite advanced collectors seeking high caliber numismatic treasures. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Norweb Collection (Christie's New York 5/1985) Lot # 162. Purchased privately from Spink, London." This specimen is a silver cob four reales struck at Mexico City 1621-65. In 1728, cobs were debased from .931 to 0.917 fine silver. Round "royals" are known but all are rare, rarer than the equivalent Bolivian royals.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, .405 troy oz ASW, this specimen 14.03 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-6098, KM-R41; Cal-1050; Pelicer-923.
- 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.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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