Watch List notes:

Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/4 real, Philip II, assayer B to left (5th period), mintmark P to right, border of boxes on obverse, rare. S-P14; KM-B1; CT-770; Janson-unl. (cf. 6.9.1). 0.87 gram. Full but slightly doubled castle and lion, clear B-P and distinctive border, two crowns of a distinctly Philip III style (as most of 5th-period B is probably post-Philip II but is attributed to the earlier king because of a lack of the ordinal III in the legend), lightly toned VF and among the finest known. It is interesting to note that Sellschopp considered this the final 1/4 real of Potosi and he was practically breathless in describing it, saying: "the present piece is exceptional, since the opinion prevails that in Potosi no coins worth 1/4 Real (cuartillos) were made until the reign of Charles IV" and "If 'cuartillos' were minted in the Potosi Mint throughout the 75 years which our study encompasses [1575-1651], we would have found at least a few representative examples. But we have no knowledge of their existence." Pedigreed to our Auction #10, lot #772.

Estimate: $500