Peru 1700-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72024 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1700-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Charles II. PCGS AU-50. This exceptionally well-preserved 4 Reales piece was struck during the final year of Charles II's reign. The pleasingly centered obverse displays a mintmark, assayer's initial, the denomination, and the date with particularly fine detail. The reverse gives another clear date beneath its well-struck castles and lions. Curiously, there is a small chopmark on the lower right castle. This coin's surfaces carry an attractive silver gray toning with hints of warmth. This superb cob is a true survivor, likely having circulated in East Asia and yet coming to us today in such a wonderful state of preservation. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Mike Dunigan." 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 Hurtado stamped his coins 1696-1710; his tenure was interrupted by de Rojas in 1699. Specimens with legible dates are scarce. The mintage of gold commenced in 1696.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.81 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7522, KM-23; Cal-475.
- 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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