Peru (1)720 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 74627 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, October 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 1/2 Real, 1720. Lima Mint. Philip V. PCGS VG-10. From the Richard August Collection." This type was struck 1701-28 for Philip V with an interruption in 1725 for the short reign of Luis I. This issue seems to lack the mintmark and assayer initial, which should be "M" for 1720. In 1728, the cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 fine silver. The Mexico City mint was converted to milled coinage in 1732-34 but Lima would not follow suit until 1751.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 1.57 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8174, KM-30; Cal-150.
- 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, October 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the Kirk Menczer Collection of Republican Decimal Minors and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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