Peru 1697 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 25142 in Heritage sale 61487 (Dallas, TX, May 2025), where it sold for $159. The catalog description[1] noted, "Peru. Charles II Cob 1/2 Real 1697-L VF25 NGC, Lima mint. From the Monedero Collection of Peru and Latin American Coins." This type was struck 1684-1701 for the degenerate Charles II of Spain. The Lima mint reopened in 1684, having been shuttered by orders from Spain in 1660. It is catalogued in the SCWC and Cayón with a mintmark and assayer's initials but we don't think any were ever present on this die. Half real cobs are surprisingly scarce, this being the second of the type we have posted. This specimen is short weight probably due to corrosion.
Recorded mintage: 114,744 per Numista.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 0.87 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7170, KM 22, Cal-134.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2025 May 13 - 14 The Monedero Collection of Peru and Latin American Coins Showcase Auction #61487, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2025.
Links to: