Peru 1721-L M 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72040 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1721-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Felix Cristobal Cano Melgarejo (M). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Scratch, EF Details. This Lima cob exhibits various marks on its obverse, including a few deep parallel gashes. Although this damage earned the coin its details designation, it still offers rather complete details and eye appeal. The obverse devices show the denomination, mintmark, assayer's initial, and a bold date. The reverse was slightly double struck, but retains a pleasing cross with castles and lions. The coin offers a lovely deep gray toning with hints of rosy color throughout. From the Pat Johnson Collection." Four reales of this type were struck through the reign of Philip V. Assayer Melgarejo stamped his coins 1709-27. Specimens with legible dates are scarce. In 1728, the silver cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 fine with no change in design. The mintage of gold commenced in 1696.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 12.78 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9011, KM-33; Cal-1035.
- 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.
Link to: