Peru 1729-L N 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72047 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $6,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1729-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Joaquin Negron y Colmenares (N). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Salt Water Damage, EF Details. A Lima cob of particular beauty. The surfaces exhibit minor granularity due to the noted saltwater damage, but are otherwise remarkably fresh. The obverse displays the well-struck central devices in their entirety: both mintmarks, both assayer initials, the denomination, and the date are all highly readable despite some doubling. The columns and their elaborate capitals are fully intact and impressive. The reverse fared just as well. The large central cross is boldly struck and fully presented, and all four castles and lions within its quadrants offers fine detail and pleasing style. The mintmark, denomination, assayer's initial, and three-digit date arranged at each of the cross's terminals are all displayed in clear enough fragments to decipher easily. Struck on a round flan and attractively toned, this cob hits every point a collector could ask for and is certain to command spirited bidding. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Freeman Craig." Four reales of this type were struck through the reign of Philip V. Assayer Negron y Colmenares stamped his coins 1728-38. 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, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.38 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9037, KM-33; Cal-1042.
- 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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