Peru 1838-L MM 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 1701 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 21 (Winter Park, FL, May 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Lima, Peru, 1/2 real, 1838MM, unlisted assayer and error with plain M for mintmark. AVF with light toning and traces of luster, unlisted issue with legend of Republic (and previous assayer MM) but dated in the period for State of North Peru (and with M instead of monogrammed LIMAE for mintmark, hence legend reads "M M M"." This coin is suspicious for several reasons; the lettering is unusually crude for a Lima mint product; the assayer MM is not known to have issued coins after 1835; the weight is too light and the date is unlisted in an otherwise well documented series. We would denounce it as a counterfeit were it not for the reputation of the auctioneers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.68 g, 0.903 fine silver, .049 troy oz ASW, this specimen 1.04 grams.
Catalog reference: KM 144.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel F., Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction #21, featuring Selections from the Richard Stuart Collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC, 2017.
Link to: