Bolivia (1616-17)-P M 8 reales

Sedwick sale 27, lot 553

This specimen was lot 553 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 27 (Winter Park, FL, May 2020), where it sold for $505.75. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip III, assayer M. Choice XF with full and well-detailed shield (off-center) and cross-and-tressure, bold P-dot-M and just enough legend to confirm it is the pre-dated, nicely toned all over." The mountains around Potosi contained enormous amounts of high grade silver ore, a situation the Spanish were not slow to exploit. A mint was set up in the 1570's to process the silver mined there. The early products of the reign of Philip II are fairly good quality but rot set in during the following reign, including fraudulent debasement. The Potosí mint was the second mint in the western hemisphere to date its products. Dating began in 1617.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 27.07 grams, 0.931 fine silver, .810 troy oz ASW, this specimen 27.07 grams.

Catalog reference: Cayón-4841, S-P18; KM-10; Cal-919.

Source:

• 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 Felipe VI, 1474 a 2020, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2019.
• Menzel, Sewall, Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins, New York: The American Numismatic Society, 2004.
• Paoletti, Emilio, 8 Reales Cobs of Potosí, 2nd Ed., Buenos Aires, 2006.
• ^[1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 27, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.

Links to:

• Bolivia (1591-98)-P R 8 reales
• Bolivia (1613-17)-P Q 8 reales
• Bolivia 1617-P M 8 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1616
• return to coins of Bolivia