Peru 1746-L V 4 reales
This specimen was lot 509 in Sedwick Auction 36 (Winter Park, FL, November 2024), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU, Lima, cob 4 reales Royal (galano), 1746 V, unique, ex-Ponte, ex-Sellschopp, ex-Ortiz. By this last date of Philip V, Lima silver cobs had entered into a nadir of aesthetic quality, yet this lot proves the ability still existed to make beautiful coins, as its design is perfectly struck—well centered and even, with practically no doubling—and it is also beautifully preserved with lovely old toning and no hole or damage of any kind. Remarkably, it also shows some legend, including parts of the king's name, and since no examples are known for the next king (Ferdinand VI), this is officially the last date of issue, fittingly well pedigreed in our time (its whereabouts prior to Sellschopp unknown, as unlisted in Pellicer i Bru), now surely destined for a home in another great collection. Pedigreed to the Luis R. Ponte Collection and to the Sellschopp Collection (Swiss Bank Corp. auction of September 1988, lot 247) and to the Emilio Ortiz Collection (Swiss Bank Corp. auction of September 1991, lot 133)." Four reales cobs were struck through the reign of Philip V. Assayer de Vargas ("V") stamped his coins 1739-49. Specimens with legible dates are scarce and round examples struck for presentation, such as this one, are rare. In 1728, the silver cobs were debased from 0.931 fine to 0.917 fine with no change in design.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 13.44 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-9163; S-L22; KM-unl; Cal-1022.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Treasure Auction 36, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Luis R. Ponte collection, the Jorge Becerra Collection and the John M. O'Brien collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
Link to: