Peru 1718-L M 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72036 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1718-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Felix Cristobal Cano Melgarejo (M). Philip V. PCGS VF-35. This rather attractive piece offers a boldly struck obverse with the denomination, mintmark, assayer's initial, and date. The reverse retains the final digit of the date below the central cross with a pair of impressively detailed castles. Both sides display a nice light gray tone that darkens in the protected areas, giving the well-preserved details additional emphasis. A coin rich with eye appeal and delightfully problem-free. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Mike Dunigan." 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 Melgarejo stamped his coins 1709-27. 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 13.34 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-8993, KM-33; Cal-1032.
- 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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