Spain 1588-S D 2 reales
This specimen was lot 1869 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €190 (about US$263 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ESPAGNE, Philippe II (1556-1598), AR 2 reales, 1588, Séville. D/ Écu couronné. Différent illisible. R/ Quadrilobe anglé aux armes de Castille et Leon. Faiblesse de frappe. (kingdom of Spain, Philip II, 1556-98, silver two reales of 1588, Seville mint. Obverse: crowned arms, assayer not visible; reverse: angled quadrilobe with the arms of Castile and Leon. Weakly struck, Very Fine.)"
The auctioneers stated that the assayer's initial was illegible but it is visible as the square "d" on the reverse, near "PA". As crudely made as most cobs were, an effort was made to ensure that the assayer's initial was visible. Assayer "d" is noted for 1589 and on many undated issues. Cayón notes a 1589/8 overdate.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 6,69 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3645, A.C. 407.
- 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
- Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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