Peru 1710-L H 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72033 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $456. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1710-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Francisco Hurtado (H). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Holed, VF Details. This attractively toned and well-centered 4 Reales piece exhibits a rather large hole near the 8 o'clock position on the obverse. Despite its size, the hole does not interfere with the coin's most pertinent details. The obverse devices present two mintmarks, denomination, and date with full clarity, along with just enough of the lower left assayer's initial to identify it without a doubt. The reverse is just as presentable, with a bold mintmark, assayer's initial, denomination, and most of the final digit of the date. This extensively detailed piece is enhanced by lovely old cabinet toning. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Sellschopp Collection (UBS Zurich 9/1988) Lot # 198 (part of)." 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 1695-1710. 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 12.30 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8969, KM-33; Cal-1029.
- 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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