Peru 1703-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72027 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1703-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Philip V. PCGS EF-45. This beautiful piece offers finely struck and well-preserved detail. While the somewhat compact flan means that the outer legends have been excluded, the central devices on both sides are rather impressive. The obverse displays both mintmarks, the denomination, the date, and most of both assayer's initials. The date is particularly sharp and eye-catching. While the reverse only offers portions of the mintmark and assayer's initial, the central castles and lions present handsomely with fine style. Most strikingly, the coin is gorgeously toned, with a pewter gray color throughout and a dazzling iridescent sheen. From the Pat Johnson Collection." 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. Four reales of this type were struck through the reign of Philip V--unlike that of Europe, his reign was never challenged in America. 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 13.16 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8938, KM-33; Cal-1025.
- 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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