Mexico 1721-Mo J 4 reales
This specimen was lot 2006 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €380 (about US$527 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MEXIQUE, Philippe V (1700-1746), AR 4 reales, 1721, Mexico. Cob. D/ Écu couronné. R/ Armes écartelées de Castille et Leon dans un polylobe. Patine foncée. (Mexico, Philip V, 1700-46, silver four reales of 1721, Mexico City mint, cob type. Obverse: crowned arms; reverse: quarter arms of Castile and Leon in a polylobe. Nice patina, Fine - Very Fine.)"
While regular cob four reales are known for the length of Philip's reign, "royal" or presentation strikes are listed only for 1716, 1719-23. Other dates may exist but all are rare. The fineness was lowered from 0.931 to 0.917 in 1728.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 11,85 g.
Catalog reference: KM 40, A.C. 1087, Cayón-9012.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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