Peru (1577-89)-oD P 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 709 in Sedwick sale 34 (Winter Park, FL, November 2023), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "Lima, Peru, cob 1/2 real, Philip II, assayer Diego de la Torre, oD to left, P to right, * above and below monogram, NGC AU 50, finest and only example in NGC census, ex-Sellschopp (Plate Coin). Among the finest 1/2R we have ever handled and the only example of this variety NGC has seen, with exceptional interior details on both sides, the monogram especially full and boxed by bold oD and P and two stars, also choice full cross, some legend, deeply toned, desirable grade and pedigree. Plate Coin 120 on photo-plate XI of Sellschopp's Las acuñaciones de las cecas de Lima, La Plata y Potosi 1568-1651 (1971)." This specimen is from the second period of operation for the Lima mint, 1577-88. When it was closed and the machinery taken to Potosi in Upper Peru to strike the silver emanating from there, the Lima mint would not reopen until 1660, despite repeated pleas from the Viceroy of Peru. Many variations exist in the position of the assayer's initial ("D" or "oD") and mintmark ("P" with various combinations of stars).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 1.71 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3388, S-L4; KM-unl (5 for type); Cal-118.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 34, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2023.
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