Bolivia (1591-98)-P R 2 reales
The first specimen was lot 574 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 27 (Winter Park, FL, May 2020), where it sold for $285.60. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip II, assayer R (Rincon) below mintmark P to left. Broad flan with much legend, choice full shield with bold P-R to left and denomination ii to right, full crown, good full cross-and-tressure, toned XF with some surface oxidation." The second specimen was lot 1905 in Sedwick Auction 36 (Winter Park, FL, November 2024), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 2 reales, Philip II, assayer R (Rincón) to left, ex-Ponte. About Fine with surface scuffs, full shield with clear mintmark and assayer, doubled yet complete cross-and-tressure, stain spot on reverse. Pedigreed to the Luis R. Ponte Collection." The mountains around Potosí 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. Cayón mentions two varieties for this type: Cayón-3619, with one, two or three lilies in the third quarter of the arms, and Cayón-3620, with five or six lilies. Dating began in 1617.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.77 grams, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 6.42 grams, the second specimen 6.31 grams.
Catalog reference: the first specimen: Cayón-3620, S-P1; KM-3.2; Cal-364. The second specimen is Cayón-3619.
- 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.
- [1]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia and Cori Sedwick Downing, Treasure Auction 27, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2020.
- [2]Sedwick, Daniel Frank, Augi Garcia, Cori Sedwick Downing, Connor Falk and Sarah Sproles, Treasure Auction 36, World, U.S Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Luis R. Ponte collection, the Jorge Becerra Collection and the John M. O'Brien collection, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2024.
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