South Peru 1838-Areq MV 8 reales

Heritage sale 61487, lot 25260

This specimen was lot 25260 in Heritage sale 61487 (Dallas, TX, May 2025), where it sold for $12,000. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Peru. Famed Arequipa 8 Reales. South Peru. Republic 8 Reales 1838 AREQ-MV XF45 NGC, Arequipa mint. A famed rarity of not only [of] Peruvian numismatics, but the greater South American series, and while examples in comparable preservation from the Cuzco mint are well-regarded, those of Arequipa origin are always highly contested when seen at auction. Moderately handled with uniform, honest wear, warranting NGC's conditional assignment, and elevated by a wonderful cabinet patina, the piece is sure to be among this auction's top lots. We note that this is only the third and finest example of this type we've handled in as many decades, best even the Newman specimen as a VF30. Of the seven occupants in NGC's census, only two rank finer and as such, [this] is worthy of considerable collector enthusiasm. Accompanied by the original collector envelope. From the Monedero Collection of Peru and Latin American Coins." The Arequipa mint operated 1836-39 during a period of turmoil extreme even for Peru. Eight reales were struck there 1838-39. This design was also used at Cuzco and is much more available with that mintmark. The state of South Peru was a shortlived federation of southern Peru and Bolivia.

Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.

Specification: 27.07 g, 0.903 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM 170.3.

Source:

Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2025 May 13 - 14 The Monedero Collection of Peru and Latin American Coins Showcase Auction #61487, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2025.

Links to:

South Peru 1838-Areq MV 8 reales

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