Peru 1719-L M 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72037 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $4,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1719-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Felix Cristobal Cano Melgarejo (M). Philip V. PCGS VF-35. An impressively complete and attractive 4 Reales cob from Lima. The well-struck obverse displays two mintmarks, an assayer's initial, the denomination, and the date with full legibility in the center. A segment of the outer legend is visible, partially showing the full date. The reverse offers yet another complete three-digit date. Beneath it, a remaining section of the outer legend displays the final letters of the monarch's name along with his complete ordinal. This coin, rich with eye appeal and generously detailed, is sure to attract bidding from quality-conscious collectors. 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 13.13 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9005, KM-33; Cal-1033.
- 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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