Spain 1638-S R 4 reales
This specimen was lot 72240 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. Cob 4 Reales, 1638-S R. Seville Mint. Philip IV. PCGS VF-35. A somewhat crude and weathered 4 Reales piece that nevertheless offers satisfying details. A mintmark and assayer appear on the obverse alongside a partial denomination. The reverse displays charmingly plain castles and lions and a truncated but clearly legible date. The surfaces are moderately toned mottled with areas of darker gray, almost black toning. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This date is not listed in Cayón or the SCWC altho the type is known for 1624-37 and 1641-48. Eight reales and eight escudos are known for 1638 from Seville. It is possible that this specimen is actually a 1635 with a muddled date.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.73 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.63 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-unlisted, KM-35.6 (unlisted date); Cal-1198.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- 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 November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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