Mexico 1724-Mo D 1/2 real KM-R25

from Stack's Bowers November 2015 sale, lot 39340

from the Stack's Bowers 2019 NYINC sale, part of lot 41173

The first specimen was lot 39340 in Stack's Bowers Winter sale (Baltimore, November 2015), where it sold for $1,762.50. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MEXICO. 1/2 Real, 1724-MoD. Luis I (1724). NGC VF Details--Holed. 1.7 gms. VERY RARE. Fully round Royal presentation strike. Loads of detail and nice surfaces. Tiny hole in crown, but the other characteristics of the piece well compensate for the shortcoming. Pedigree: From the David O'Harrow Collection. Ex: Richard Long Sale #69 April 26, 1993." The second specimen was part of lot 41173 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), which did not sell. The catalog description^[2] noted, "MEXICO. Foursome of Philip V and Luis I Royal 1/2 Reales, 1724-25. Mexico City Mint. All NGC Certified. 1) 1/2 Real, 1724. Philip V. NGC EF Details--Holed. 2) 1/2 Real, 1724. Luis I. NGC VF Details--Plugged, Repaired. 3) 1/2 Real, 1725. Luis I. NGC EF Details--Holed, Damaged. 4) 1/2 Real, 1725. Philip V. NGC VF Details--Plugged. 2.00, 1.58, 1.56. 2.05 grams respectively. Cal-type-285#1812 (Philip V), Cal-type-30#54 and 55 (Luis I), and the remaining 1725 Philip V unlisted in Calico. Only the 1724 Louis I is listed in the Standard Catalog of World Coins (KM-R25). All assayer D. All are well struck and wonderfully preserved with strong old cabinet toning, all either holed or holed and plugged. A fascinating little set, which documents the rare relinquishment of the throne (by Philip V) only to see it restored after the new King (Luis I) dies shortly after taking it. EXTREMELY RARE as offered and almost unimaginable to assemble individually." This specimen is a silver cob half real struck at Mexico City a few years before the conversion to milled coinage. Specimens with clear dates are unusual and those attributable to Luis's short reign obtain a substantial premium. In 1728, cobs were debased from .931 to 0.917 fine silver.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.69 grams, 0.931 fine silver, .051 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: Cayón-10094, Cal-type-30; KM-R25.

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 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.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, and Todd McKenna, The November 2015 Baltimore Auction, World Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Ray Czabor Collection and selections from the Strong Museum, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2015.
• ^[2]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.

Link to:

• 1718 ½ real
• 1724-M^O D ½ real, Felipe V
• 1725-M^O D ½ real, Luis I
• 1725-M^O D ½ real, Felipe V
• 1724 4 escudos cob
• 1730 ½ real cob
• Coins and currency dated 1724
• return to Mexican hammered and cob coinage, 1536-1734