Peru 1727-L M 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72045 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1727-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Felix Cristobal Cano Melgarejo (M). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Salt Water Damage, EF Details. The surfaces of this Lima cob show evidence of saltwater damage, and the flan was evidently clipped, accounting for its lower weight. In spite of these flaws, the coin still offers a denomination mark, assayer's initial, and an impressively clear date. The reverse has lost most of its detail, but still displays the upper castle and lion fairly well. 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 1725, king Philip V abdicated in favor of his favorite son Louis, who died ten months later, forcing the old king to resume the throne. Issues of Luis are consequently rare. 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 10.52 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9027, KM-33; Cal-1040.
- 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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