Peru 1840-L MB 2 reales
This specimen was lot 1357 in Sedwick Auction 36 (Winter Park, FL, November 2024), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "PERU, Lima, 2 reales, 1840 MB, without fineness, NGC AU 58, finest and only example in NGC census, ex-O'Brien. Choice luster overlain with deep, splashy rainbow toning, well struck except for parts of rims, really looks higher grade but nevertheless the finest known for this final date of the no-fineness type. Pedigreed to the John O'Brien Collection (stated on label), with his tag." This specimen is one of a series struck 1825-1840 at the Lima mint. The date is listed in the SCWC as common, though all Peruvian minors are scarcer in nice condition than the catalog values would indicate. The later figure of Libertad, where she faces right, is also known for 1840 (KM 141.3). Assayer MB is recorded for 1838-58. It was legal tender in the United States until 1857 for 25¢.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.903 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-141.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Treasure Auction 36, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Luis R. Ponte collection, the Jorge Becerra Collection and the John M. O'Brien collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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