(1578-95)PB 4 R Calico-525 3 Fleur de lis MS(PCGS#225224)

November 2022 Collectors Choice Online Auction World Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

71041

等级

XF40

价格

4,661

详细说明

BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1589-98)-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Hernando Ballesteros (B). Philip II. PCGS EF-40. KM-4.3; Cal-525. 13.51 gms. Variety with three fleurs de lis. A curious and quite particular cob. Rather crude in style and strike, this piece features an interesting doubling effect on some of the obverse details, including the assayer initial "B". The reverse lions have a strange, almost simian look to them. Most interestingly, the dotted borders are replaced by ones made of rectangles on the obverse and tiny crosses on the reverse. In 1590, the Spanish Crown approved a number of measures aimed at expediating the production of coinage in the American mints in order to provide the European homeland with much-needed silver. The resulting emissions are far more crude than Potosi's previous output. Hastily engraved dies, poorly struck planchets, and carelessly cut irregular flans are the evidence of Spain's hasty thirst for silver. The assayer Ballestros happened to be in office during this time of transition, and a marked contrast is evident between the coins produced with his mark before and after the relaxation of production standards. Estimate: $250 - $400. Provenance: From the Pat Johnson Collection. Ex: Paul Karon Collection (Ponterio 3/90) Lot # 317. To view all items from the Pat Johnson Collection, click here. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.