Peru 1750-L R 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 1329 in Aureo y Calicó sale 391 (Barcelona, June 2022), where it sold for €240 (about US$302 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"1750. Fernando VI. Lima. R. 1/2 real. (AC. 42). Tipo monograma, en nuestra opinión, para esta fecha, tanto o más rara que la de tipo castillo. MBC. (Peru, Ferdinand VI, half real of 1750, Lima mint, monogram type. In our opinion, for this date, this type is rarer than the castle type. Very fine.)"
Despite pleas from locals in Lima for a mint, Spanish authorities preferred to concentrate coinage production at Potosi in Upper Peru. The Lima mint was shuttered multiple times by orders from Spain, not to reopen permanently until 1684. Cob two reales were struck at the Lima mint 1747-52 for Ferdinand VI of Spain and became the "two bits" of pirate lore. The fineness was lowered from 0.931 to 0.917 in 1728. The Mexico City mint was converted to milled coinage in 1732-34 but Lima would not follow suit until 1751.
Recorded mintage: unknown but an uncommon type, particularly with a legible date.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.917 silver, this specimen 1,52 g.
Catalog reference: KM 41, AC. 547, Cayón-10168.
- 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]Sisó, Teresa, Eduard Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Numismática 391, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó, 2022.
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