Mexico 1725-Mo D 4 reales KM-42

from the Stack's Bowers 2022 NYINC sale, lot 2073

This specimen was lot 2073 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $13,200. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Seldom Encountered Royal 4 Reales of Luis I, MEXICO. "Royal" Presentation Cob 4 Reales, 1725-Mo D. Mexico City Mint, Assayer D. Luis I. NGC VF Details--Plugged. Two-year type. One of only four examples of the date certified at NGC, inclusive of both Luis I and Philip V. This EXTREMELY RARE and seldom encountered special presentation issue exhibits a bold even strike with moderate wear. The surfaces display rich mottled gray patina with areas of light coloration in the fields and atop of the devices complemented by a slight iridescent sheen that pops out when tilted in the light. As is commonly encountered on issues of the nature this piece has been holed and plugged at 12 o'clock, now subtlety toned over matching the rest of the coin. Though faint, evidence that this monarch's name and ordinal were punched over the previous ruler becomes apparent; "LVDOVICVS/PHILIPPVS" and "I/V". We are aware that some later presentation issues of Philip V, after he became ruler again, are the opposite where it is Philip over Luis. Despite its shortcomings this popular short-live issue has always been a collector favorite, as are all colonial coinage of this ruler, offering much original and is pleasing to the eye. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Federico Claveria Collection." Altho the SCWC does not list any 1725 4 reales for Philip V, they nevertheless exist. This type was struck for Luis I 1724-25 and is rare. The fineness was lowered from 0.931 to 0.917 in 1728.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, this specimen 13.06 g.

Catalog reference: KM-42 (plate coin); Cal-31; Pellicer-1472, Cayón-10117.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• 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 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.

Link to:

• 1722 4 reales
• 1725-M^O D ½ real, Luis I
• 1725-M^O D ½ real, Felipe V
• Bolivia 1725-P Y 4 reales
• 1725 4 reales, Philip V
• 1725 8 reales, Luis I
• 1729 4 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1725
• return to Mexican hammered and cob coinage, 1536-1734