Peru 1704-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72028 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1704-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Tooled, VF Details. This cob from Lima has been heavily tooled, yet remains surprisingly appealing. This is due in part to the impressive remaining details, such as the generous inclusion of three dates. The central obverse date and the reverse date are both sharply struck and boldly legible, while the seldom-seen outer obverse date retains most of the unmistakable final two digits. Many other details, including the obverse crown and the reverse denomination and lions, survive remarkably unharmed by the toolmarks. All these details are enhanced by the deep cabinet toning that the surfaces showcase, making this a highly tempting coin overall. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Purchased privately from Jess Peters, circa 1973." 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 13.18 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8941, KM-33; Cal-1026.
- 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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