Peru 1708-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72031 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, 1708-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Philip V. PCGS VF-35. A wholesome and alluring 4 Reales piece. The obverse is well-struck and nicely centered, allowing both mintmarks, the denomination, and the date to appear with pleasing clarity. The central devices on the reverse present attractively thanks to a well-defined strike and a sharp outline, in spite of some circulation. Although there is some flatness around the peripheries, the denomination and assayer's initial are still intact, and the first letters of the monarch's name are quite distinct. The coin shows attractive patina, with darker toning around the devices that enhances the details. 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 13.27 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8957, KM-33; Cal-Type-133.
- 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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