Mexico 1722-Mo J 4 reales
The first specimen was lot 71678 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $900. The catalog description[1] noted, "MEXICO. Cob 4 Reales, 1722-Mo. Mexico City Mint, Assayer Jose E. de Leon (J). Philip V. PCGS VF-25. This sharply angular Cob shows attractive surfaces and strong details. The obverse shows a clear date and bold mintmark and assayer. The reverse is slightly softer but retains a pleasing cross with castles and lions. A subtle dove gray tone enhances the coin's considerable eye appeal. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This specimen is a silver cob four reales struck at Mexico City a few years before the conversion to milled coinage. Specimens with clear dates are unusual. In 1728, cobs were debased from .931 to 0.917 fine silver. Assayer J operated 1706-23. The second specimen was lot 72322 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2024), where it sold for $15,600. The catalog description[2] noted, "MEXICO. "Royal" Presentation Cob 4 Reales, 1722-Mo J. Mexico City Mint. Philip V. FINE Details. A royal or presentation 4 Reales that has been cut to a 'heart' shape. A disappointing alteration, considering the value of the original coin. Once pierced at 12 o'clock like a typical heart, now plugged. Nevertheless, nicely toned with full attributable detail. From the S.P. Rutherford Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 13.76 g, the second specimen 12.62 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9015, KM-40; Cal-Type-139. The second specimen is KM-R40; Cal-1072.
- 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]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.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, October 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the S.P. Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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