Peru 1686-L R 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72010 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1686-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Leonardo de Rojas Paramo (R). Charles II. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, VF Details. There is a notable amount of surface corrosion present on this 4 Reales piece, accounting for its designation. But there is also much detail remaining on its surfaces to enjoy, particularly on the obverse. A mintmark, assayer's initial, denomination, and slightly muddled date are all visible below the nicely preserved crown. The reverse is somewhat rougher but still offers a denomination mark and partial date along with some curiously dog-like lions around the central cross. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Sellschopp Collection (UBS Zurich 9/1988) Lot # 173 (part of)." The mint at Lima operated briefly in the 1560's before the Potosi mint was opened and operated again 1659-60 without the permission of royal officials. Not until 1684 was the mint opened on a permanent basis and four reales of this type were struck until 1700. Assayer de Rojas stamped his coins 1685-91 and again in 1695. Specimens with legible dates are scarce.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.30 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7476, KM-23; Cal-461.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
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