Spain 1589-Seg 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34208 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SPAIN. 4 Reales, 1589. Segovia Mint. Philip II. PCGS Genuine--Tooled, AU Details. Variety with “HISPANIARV" in legend. This charming example displays attractive rich patina on the obverse with mostly white centers on the reverse and a rich slate coloration amongst the devices in the legends. Boldly struck with well-formed design features the surfaces remain lustrous and relatively smooth. Close inspection reveals evidence of some light tasteful scratching between the last two digits of the date accounting for the details designation. Despite its shortcomings, this handsome piece is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters. From the Pat Johnson Collection."
This type, one of the first machine struck coins of Spain, is recorded in Cayón[3] for 1586-1597. Numerous varieties exist, all rare. The arms of Spain on the obverse bear the escutcheon of Portugal, ruled by Spain 1580-1640. Spain and her colonies continued to produce cobs for another century and a half.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.931 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-3812, Cal-561.
- 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III, the Augustana Collection and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to: