Spain 1852 10 reales 7 point star
This specimen was lot 34219 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. 10 Reales, 1852. Seville Mint. Isabel II. PCGS MS-63. Seven-pointed star mint mark. The single finest certified of the date on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. Boldly struck and very attractive, this Choice Uncirculated survivor displays smooth satiny surfaces with full original mint bloom. A thin layer of delicate tone offers a pleasing appearance with good eye appeal to this charming survivor that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters. From the Pat Johnson Collection." This Spanish ten reales was struck in Barcelona during the middle years of Isabel II (1833-68). This type was struck in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville 1851-56. Instead of the traditional "M" and "S" mintmarks the issues are distinguished by six, seven or eight pointed stars on the reverse (for Madrid, Seville and Barcelona). The "de vellon" coinage system, used 1808-50, was finally dropped. The 20 reales was reduced to 26.91 grams and the copper maravedis dropped in favor of 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5 reales. Unfortunately, the government, financially prostrate as usual, was unable to remint the old coins, which continued to circulate as before.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.14 g, 0.900 fine silver, .380 troy oz ASW, 29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Cayón-17099, KM-595.3; Cal-547.
- 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.
- O'Connor, Patrick, The Coins of Queen Isabel II of Spain: A Detailed Study of the Coins, Patterns and Medals of Her Reign, San Antonio, TX: Aurora Rarities, LLC, 2017.
- 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: