Peru 1779-L MJ 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72097 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $720. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. 4 Reales, 1779-L. Lima Mint; Assayers Manuel de Iglesia Abarca & Juan Joseph Cano Melgarejo (M J). Charles III. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. While this 4 Reales piece exhibits evidence of past cleaning, its detailed devices are crisp and attractive. The warm argent surfaces retain some luster, giving the coin abundant eye appeal. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This type is listed for Peru 1772-89 and is quite scarce, even without mentioning the famous "GARTIA" error for 1775. Assayer MJ is listed for 1773-80. The fineness was lowered from .903 to .896 in 1785.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11807, KM-77; Cal-840.
- 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.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [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.
Link to: