Bolivia (1574-76)-P R 4 reales

Stack's Bowers November 2022 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71021

Stack's Bowers November 2022 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71022

The first specimen was lot 71021 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1574-76)-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Alonso Rincon (R). Philip II. PCGS AU-58. An exquisitely well-preserved cob, gorgeously toned and struck on a full flan. The mintmark, assayer, and denomination are boldly clear astride the crowned shield. The reverse octolobes are entirely intact. The lions and castles within are sharply struck from dies of excellent quality, aside from an area of flatness. Minute detail, such as the upper left castle's turrets and masonry as well as both lions' manes and roaring mouths are presented with wonderful clarity. The legends on both sides are almost fully readable. A stunning piece, marred only by a small flan crack. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately purchased from Freeman Craig."

The second specimen was lot 71022 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $780. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1574-76)-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Alonso Rincon (R). Philip II. PCGS EF-45. A stunning 4 Reales cob from the first assayer at the Potosi Mint. King Philip II's nearly full title is legible on the rim of this coin's uncommonly round and broad flan. Within, the Habsburg shield is presented sharply with the mintmark and assayer's initial to the left and denomination to the right. The reverse legend continues the king's title, surrounding the central cross. Castles and lions inhabit each of its quadrants, executed with fine style and well-struck. A wonderful example of the high quality coinage produced at Potosi just after the mint's relocation from Lima. From the Pat Johnson Collection. Privately Purchased from Heritage Rare Coin Galleries."

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: 13.54 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 13.38 g, the second specimen 13.21 g.

Catalog reference: Cayón-3776 (six lilies), KM-4.1; Cal-519. the second specimen KM-4.2; Cal-518; Sellschopp-14.

Source:

• 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.
• Krause, Chester L., and Colin R. Bruce II, Standard Catalog of World Coins: Spain, Portugal and the New World, Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2002.
• 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 November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.

Link to:

• (1574-76) ¼ real
• (1574-76) ½ real
• (1574-76)-R real
• (1574-79)-R 2 reales
• (1574-79)-R 8 reales
• (1574-79)-L 8 reales
• (1574-86)-B 8 reales
• (1575-76)-P M 4 reales
• Coins and currency dated 1574