South Peru 1838-Cuz MS 8 reales
This South American crown is one of the classic designs of the series. Fortunately for collectors, it is not rare in circulated condition although the Arequipa issue (KM 170.3) is very rare. The South Peru issues are the result of a short-lived conferation of Peru and Bolivia 1836-39.
The first specimen was lot 1190 in Goldberg sale 46 (Beverly Hills, May 2008), where it sold for $2,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Peru - South Peru. 8 Reales, 1838-BA (Cuzco). State Coinage. Large letters 'CONFEDERACION' type. Radiant sun face, row of stars above. Reverse: Scene of crowned fortress, volcano, and ship at sea, and cornucopia below, all within wreath. Choice strike. Lustrous and very clean for series. Variegated medium to deep smoky toning, more intense on the obverse, with coloring in the recesses. A very attractive example. Three-year type. NGC graded MS-62." The second specimen was lot 26086 and sold on Apr 16, 2011 for $345 at the 2011 April Rosemont Signature World & Ancient Coins CICF Auction #3014 by Heritage Auctions. The catalog description noted,
"Cuzco Sunface 8 Reales 1838-MS, AU58 details (graffiti) ANACS, South Peru sunface style. Deeply struck and unflawed on the reverse. Obverse would have been nearly comparable but for the addition of a '#' scratched near the final date digit; it is not obvious whether that was on the die or is on the coin itself. From The Dana Roberts Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, 0.896 fine silver, 0.780 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: WR-20; Eliz-182; KM 170.4.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg Sale 46: the Millenia Collection, Beverly Hills, CA: Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers, 2008.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Elizondo, Carlos A., Eight Reales and Pesos of the New World, San Antonio, TX: 1968.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Dollars of North and South America, 2nd Ed., Racine, WI: Whitman Publishing, 1964.
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