Peru 1748-L V 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 1775 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 35 (Winter Park, FL, May 2024), where it sold for $450. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU, Lima, cob 1/2 real, 1748. Choice piece with not much saltwater effect beyond some spotting on the cross side, bold full date and partial monogram, rare denomination from any wreck but this wreck itself particularly scarce. With generic certificate from the salvor. Recovered from HMS Assurance, sunk in 1753 off Isle of Wight, south of England." Cob half reales were struck at the Lima mint 1747-52 for Ferdinand VI of Spain and became the "half bits" of pirate lore. Specimens with legible dates bring triple those without. The fineness was lowered from 0.931 to 0.917 in 1728. The assayer is not legible on this example, a common occurrence for cob half reales.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen 1.76 grams.
Catalog reference: Cayón-10155; S-L22a; KM-41; Cal-39.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing and Connor Falk, Treasure Auction 35, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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