Mexico 1712-Mo J 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34140 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[1] noted,
"MEXICO. Cob 4 Reales, 1712-Mo J. Mexico City Mint, Assayer Jose E. de Leon (J). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, VF Details. The only certified example of the date on either the NGC or PCGS census. This charming lozenge-shaped minor exhibits a bold full four-digit date and mint mark with a partial Assayer's letter, shield, cross and castles and lions. Close inspection reveals slight surface porosity from prolonged saltwater exposure, now toned a pleasing dove gray with areas of richer coloration. Despite its shortcomings this presentable example is handsome and pleasing to the eye. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: 1715 Plate Fleet."
The silver cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 fine in 1728. They are not rare but very scarce with legible dates.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.05 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8976, KM-40; Cal-1082.
- 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.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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