Peru 1783-L MI 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 72101 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $216. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU. 1/2 Real, 1783-L MI. Lima Mint. Charles III. PCGS AU-53. A sharply detailed 1/2 Real exhibiting a majestic deep toning that blossoms into colorful iridescence under the light. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This specimen is one of a series struck 1772-89 during the reign of Charles III (1759-88). As a class, colonial coinage of Peru is much less plentiful than that of Mexico, tho it is more available than the remaining mints. However, Harris[1] noted only one-sixth as many Peruvian half reales of Charles IV as that of Mexico, so it is safe to say that this type is scarce. The fineness was lowered from .903 to .896 in 1785.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11191, KM-74; Cal-140.
- 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.
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