Peru 1688-L R 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72012 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1688-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Leonardo de Rojas Paramo (R). Charles II. PCGS EF-40. This cob from the Lima mint was struck with notable die rotation and partial flatness that affected the amount of detail present. Nonetheless, the obverse displays the lower mintmark, date, and assayer's initial with full clarity. Part of the city also appears around the outer legend. The reverse adds another denomination and mintmark, along with at least one well-preserved castle. The surfaces of this intriguing piece exhibit matte earthen tones mottled with deep grays, giving the coin rustic appeal. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Sellschopp Collection (UBS Zurich 9/1988) Lot # 176 (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 13.51 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7481, KM-23; Cal-463.
- 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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