Portugal counterstamped 1834 870 reis
The first specimen is a Bolivian portrait eight reales of 1813 counterstamped in 1834 for circulation in Portugal. It was valued there at 870 réis. A wide variety of pesos served as hosts for this counterstamp; the SCWC lists 44 different undertypes and there are likely more. The one shown here is one of the common hosts. The second specimen was lot 22897 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $211.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "PORTUGAL. 870 Reis, ND (1834). NGC VF Details--Excessive Surface Hairlines. Crowned Arms of Portugal countermarked on an 1801 Mexican 8 Reales. Cleaned, but with a crisp clear countermark. For the type, a very presentable example." The third specimen was lot 8669 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $312. The catalog description[2] noted,
"PORTUGAL. Peru. 870 Reis, ND (1834). Maria II. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, VF Details; Countermark: AU Details. Issued by decree of 1 September 1834. Crowned arms of Portugal countermark. Countermark applied to the obverse of a 1810/09-LIMA JP Peru imaginary bust 8 Reales of Ferdinand VII. The countermark is deeply impressed on a moderately worn host with plenty of remaining detail. Close inspection reveals evidence of being harshly cleaned long ago, now slightly subdued. Despite its shortcomings a presentable example of this seldom encountered SCARCE host type."
The fourth specimen was lot 21457 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description[3] noted,
"PORTUGAL. Portugal - Mexico. 870 Reis, ND (1834). Maria II. PCGS AU-53. Countermark: AU Details. Issued by decree of 1 September 1834. Countermark: Crowned arms of Portugal within shaped indent. Applied to the obverse of a 1755-Mo MM Mexico "Pillar" 8 Reales of Ferdinand VI (KM-104.2). A great representative of the type, featuring an extremely elegant host, full of wondrous cabinet toning, and a well incised and well preserved countermark directly across the 'dos mundos.' Highly attractive, enticing and vastly superior than normally encountered."
Portugal was torn by civil war in the early 1830's; King Michael was a usurper who was finally driven out in 1834 in favor of his niece, queen Maria II.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 27.07 g, .896 fine silver (specification of host coin).
Catalog reference: the first specimen: KM 440.4, cf. Gomes-29.30; the second specimen: Gomes-27.32, KM-440.13; the third specimen is KM-440.22; Gomes-29.17; the fourth specimen is KM-440.9; Gomes-M2.24.04.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Reis, Lina, Anuário de Numismática, Moedas e notas 2010, 31ª ediçao, Lisbon: Publinummis, Lda, 2009.
- Alberto Gomes and Francisco Antonio Magro, Moedas Portuguesas e do Território Que Hoje é Portugal: Catálogo das Moedas Cunhadas para o Continentes e Ilhas Adjacentes, para os Territórios do Ultramar e Grão-Mestres Portugueses da Ordem de Malta, 6ª Edição, Lisbon: Associação Numismática de Portugal, 2013.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
- [2]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.
- [3]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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