Spain 1797-S CN 2 reales
This specimen was lot 24912 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2018), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. 2 Reales, 1797-S CN. Seville Mint. Charles IV (1788-1808). PCGS AU-53 Secure Holder. Nice strike, toned." The specimen shown is a Spanish two reales struck in 1798 at the Seville mint. The type was struck there 1793-1808 and at Madrid 1788-1808. These coins were lower in fineness than the colonial issues (Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, etc.) and thus were discounted. This coin was called a "pistareen" in English-speaking countries. There is no reason to think that these coins are rare but they are very difficult to find in the American numismatic marketplace and are likely seriously underpriced.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 g, 0.812 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-13591, KM-430.2; Cal-Type 124 #1061.
- 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.
- [1]Sisó, Teresa, Eduardo Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Pública 261, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó Subastas, 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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