Bolivia 1787-PTS PR 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 73362 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $216. The catalog description[1] noted, "BOLIVIA. 1/2 Real, 1787-PTS PR. Potosi Mint. Charles III. NGC AU-55. Standing as the only example of the date in the NGC census, this near-Mint minor provides exceptional brilliance and alluring originality." This is an example of a type struck 1773-89 at Potosi, Bolivia (then called Upper Peru). It was replaced in 1791 by the bust of Charles IV. Harris[1] notes that Potosi half reales of Charles III are second to Mexico City as the commonest mint. Assayer PR is recorded for 1776-95.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.69 g, 0.896 fine silver, .048 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Cayón-11221, KM-51a; Cal-265.
- 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. * Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Harris, Robert P., Pillars & Portraits, San José, CA: Bonanza Press, 1968.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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