Peru 1701-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72025 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $870. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1701-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Charles II. PCGS EF-40. This attractive and SCARCE cob was struck posthumously in the name of Charles II before the preparation of new dies for Philip V. Despite lacking either monarch's name, the coin can be identified as such thanks to the off-center obverse strike that includes a bold "PE" from the outer legend. That legend type was only struck until the end of the reign of Charles II, confirming the coin is a posthumous issue rather than an early issue of Philip V. Although the reverse date unfortunately does not display the final digit, the central obverse date is decisively identifiable. The coin also shows two mintmarks, an assayer's initial and the denomination. The reverse is nicely centered, with a fully-struck cross and plenty of pleasing detail on the castles and lions. This intriguing posthumous issue combines eye appeal with scarcity, and is sure to attract attention from bidders as a result. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Kagin's 1983 ANA sale, August 1983, lot 1036 (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. This is the last four reales struck for Charles II, who died in 1700. Assayer Hurtado stamped his coins 1696-1710. 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 13.50 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-7528, cf. KM-33; Cal-476.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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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