Peru 1705-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72029 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1705-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, EF Details. This piece exhibits some spots of corrosion on its surfaces which account for its designation. The central devices are fairly well-preserved however, with the mintmark, two assayer's initials, the denomination, and the date visible on the obverse, and an additional mintmark, assayer's initial, and date appearing on the reverse. The cross and its castles and lions are particularly complete and appealing. A coin with plenty of detail and aesthetic charm to interest collectors of Lima cobs. From the Pat Johnson Collection." Not until 1684 was the Lima 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 13.37 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8946, KM-33; Cal-1027.
- 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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