Peru (1573-74)-P oD 4 reales
The first specimen was lot 508 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 27 (Winter Park, FL, May 2020), where it sold for $1,190. The catalog description[1] noted, "Lima, Peru, cob 4 reales, Philip II, assayer Diego de la Torre, P-4 to left, *-oD to right. Choice specimen on a broad round flan with bold full legends, crown and inner details (the shield slightly doubled), XF+ with steel-gray toning, minor porosity." This specimen was lot 34190 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted,
"PERU. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1577-88)-P *oD. Lima Mint, Assayer Diego de la Torre (D). Philip II. PCGS AU-55. Variety without denomination and rampant lions with curvilinear tail. The single finest certified on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. This beautifully preserved survivor, vastly superior than normally encountered, exhibits boldly struck devices with a full complete shield, crown and Assayer's letters and a partial mint mark on the obverse. The reverse displays a complete cross, castles and lions and octalobe. Most of the legends are present, though slight doubling somewhat muddles several letters. Attractive rich gray and tan patina offer a pleasing appearance to this high-grade example that is sure to catch the attention of many quality conscious collectors. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Richard Ponterio (ca. 1988)."
These early cobs of Philip II are undated and come in many varieties. For assayer D, Cayón notes different combinations of the value, mintmark "P" and assayer "D" or "oD" on the right or left of the shield (catalog nos. 3733-3738). This variety has the value and mintmark on the left and the assayer on the right.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 13.49 grams, the second specimen 13.66 g.
Catalog reference: S-L4; KM-11; Cal-501, Cayón-3737.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, vol. 1, 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.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 27, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
- [2]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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