Bolivia 1652-P E 4 reales
This specimen was lot 235 in Sedwick Treasure Auction 26 (Winter Park, FL, November 2019), where it sold for $505.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potosí, Bolivia, cob 4 reales, 1652E post-transitional, 1-PH-6 at top. Full, fat pillars with cute little 1-PH-6 at top below full crown, prominent tressure around full but mostly flat cross, minimal corrosion, deeply toned. Recovered from: Capitana, sunk in 1654 off Chanduy, Ecuador." This type was struck 1652-66 for Philip IV. It superseded the shield/cross type which was involved in the debasement scandal of the 1630's and 1640's. The second specimen was lot 71108 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[2] noted,
"Elusive "Transitional" Cob from Potosí, BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1652-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Antonio de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. PCGS Genuine--Environmental Damage, AU Details. A splendid and RARE transitional 4 Reales piece with well-preserved detail despite some corrosion and flan cracks. This piece was salvaged from the 1656 Gilt Dragon shipwreck off the western coast of Australia, to which it owes its slightly porous surfaces. The obverse displays the king's initial and ordinal, two denominations, and two assayer's initials arranged around the central pillars. Below, the full date appears. On the reverse, the mintmark, denomination, and two-digit date appear on the sides of the crowned arms. Much of the peripheral legend is intact, including the king's ordinal and nearly unbroken "HISPANIARVM". A choice example of this elegant yet ephemeral design.
In 1652, the Potosi mint underwent a great transition. In the fallout from the Great Fraud of 1649, Spain was forced to take drastic measures to restore global confidence in her silver coinage. After executing or otherwise punishing anyone found guilty or complicit in the fraud, a complete overhaul of the coinage was necessary. The ability to trace deficient coins to a guilty assayer was a top priority, and the crude manufacture at Potosi meant that crucial information on coins, such as dates or assayer's initials, was more often than not muddled or off-planchet. Thus, numerous new designs were trialed in 1652 that all aimed to achieve greater accountability by ensuring that pertinent details would appear on even the most clumsily produced coins. This handsome piece is from the fourth design attempt out of six, before the finalized design was at length settled upon. From the Pat Johnson Collection.Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 42 - 03/1990) Lot # 339."
The third specimen was lot 71110 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $3,120. The catalog description[2] noted, "BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, 1652-P. Potosi Mint, Assayer Antonia de Ergueta (E). Philip IV. PCGS VF-30. A RARE transitional 4 Reales piece of striking beauty. The obverse offers clear details in all nine fields of its central devices. On the reverse, the castles and lions are well-presented within their quadrants, with a complete three-digit date below. On the right, a bold assayer's initial flanks the full name and ordinal of the monarch on the outer legend. The coin is struck on a somewhat compact planchet of outstanding metal quality, with attractive gunmetal gray toning and darker patina surrounding the devices, giving the details added emphasis. This problem-free example of this short-lived design is rarely offered so wholesome and appealing; the next collector to add the coin to their collection is sure to be pleased. From the Pat Johnson Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.53 g, 0.931 fine silver, the first specimen 12.95 g. The second specimen is 12.53 g. The third specimen is 13.52 g.
Catalog reference: The first specimen is S-P37a; KM-18; CT-735, Cayón-6139. The second specimen is KM A18; Cal-1109; Mastalir-1-A.ca1 (this coin illustrated). The third specimen is KM B18; Cal-1111; Mastalir-1-B.ca.
- 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, vol. 1, 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 Juan Carlos I, 1474 a 2001, Barcelona: Aureo & Calicó, 2008.
- 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 26, Winter Park, FL: Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC, 2019.
- [2]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.
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