Peru 1742-L V 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72056 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1742-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Fernando de Vargas (V). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Holed, EF Details. This gorgeously toned cob offers a wealth of detail. The mintmark, assayer's initial, denomination, and date are all boldly presented on the obverse. The reverse features some sharply struck castles and lions, rendered in attractive style. Below them, much of the reverse date is legible. A hole along the rim does not affect any of the details or detract from this coin's considerable eye appeal. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Mike Dunigan." Four reales of this type were struck through the reign of Philip V. Assayer de Vargas stamped his coins 1739-48. In 1728, the silver cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 fine with no change in design. The Mexico City mint was converted to milled coinage in 1732-34 but Lima would not follow suit until 1751.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.25 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9136, KM-33A; Cal-1052.
- 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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