Spain 1816-M GJ 4 reales
This specimen was lot 34272 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $4,560. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. 4 Reales, 1816-M GJ. Madrid Mint. Ferdinand VII. PCGS MS-63. Showcasing exceptional originality, the obverse is enveloped in rich gray-brown tone, while the reverse centers are similar, albeit a touch lighter in hue, with stunning blue and yellow tone around the edges that flashes when viewed. The strike is also superb, with full formation of the detail within Ferdinand's hair as well as the components of the reverse shield. A lack of marks solidifies this coin as entirely premium quality. Unmatched in grade at either PCGS or NGC, it is sure to be highly sought by collectors seeking an elite example of the type. From the Avrabanel Collection." By 1816, Napoleon was defeated and exiled to St. Helena to fabricate his legend. Ferdinand was reinstalled in Madrid and began taking condign revenge on his opponents, real and imagined. Rebellion and anarchy surged the length of Latin America. This type is listed for 1818-33 for Seville, 1814-24 and 1830 for Madrid and 1812 for Cadiz. It is the last full weight four reales; subsequent four reales were struck to the de vellon standard of 5.41 g.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a better date.
Specification: 13.54 g, 0.896 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Cayón-15712, KM-476.2; Cal-Type 268#1082.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [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:
- 1814-M 4 reales, bust of Ferdinand VII
- 1816-J 8 maravedis
- Bolivia 1816-PTS PJ 4 reales
- Guatemala 1816-NG M 4 reales
- Mexico 1816-D MZ 4 reales
- Mexico 1816-Mo JJ 4 reales
- 1816-M 8 reales
- 1816-S 8 reales
- 1816-M 2 escudos
- 1816-S 2 escudos
- 1816-M 8 escudos
- 1818-S 4 reales
- Coins and currency dated 1816
- return to Spanish pre-decimal coinage (maravedis, reales and escudos)