Heritage World Coin Auctions
NYINC Signature Sale 3044 3-4 January 2016
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Bolivia
Republic 5 - piece silver Pattern Proof Set 1884, Potosi mint. A five-piece Proof set, as follows:- 5 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR66★ Cameo, KMPn40. Select Gem Proof with bright golden toning on the date side, and gorgeous blue and violet hues on the obverse, with amazing, essentially unmarked surfaces on both sides. - 10 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR67★ Cameo, KMPn42. Select Gem Proof and an outstanding match to the previous coin, the date side frosty and brilliant. - 20 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR66 Ultra Cameo, KMPn43. Select Gem Proof, with delicate blueish toning on the obverse and the date side fully brilliant and reflective with a small area more darkly toned. - 50 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR64 Cameo, KMPn44. Similarly toned to the previous coin, with a few very light handling marks mostly seen on the reverse (date side) and a ribbon-like area on that side more brightly colored. - 1 Boliviano 1884 PTS-FE PR65 Cameo, KMPn45. Similarly toned to the previous two lots, the obverse a tad more darkly colored and a similar ribbon-like bright area on the reverse.The noted ribbon-like areas more lightly colored on the three higher denominations are probably the result of the coins being pressed against a ribbon in the presentation case to pull them out. From the description of lot 29098 in our 2015 NYINC Signature Sale, we quote: "The problem of recalling the moneda feble (debased coinage, all in minor denominations) in Bolivia ... was finally dealt with by the decree of November 25, 1874. This decree allowed an 8% tolerance in the weight of the silver minor denominations up to 20 Centavos (minted to recall the moneda feble), the minting of which was henceforth preferred to that of the Medio Boliviano (50 Centavos) and particularly the 1 Boliviano coins, which constituted moneda fuerte (full fineness coins). The 1 Boliviano coins were not even issued between 1879 and 1884: contemporary accounts from that period describe coins of minor denominations piling up in counters while 1 Boliviano coins were either exported to Argentina or kept as curiosity pieces in Bolivia since hardly ever seen! The main problem was a technical one, since the 40 Hp steam press brought by Clemente Torretti (of 1868 Patterns fame) was ill-suited to mint large-diameter coins. As a result, the Boliviano issues of 1884, 1887 and 1893 are very rare since struck in very limited numbers for trial purposes when new improved machinery was being acquired."A law passed on September 6, 1883 authorized 200,000 pesos towards the acquisition of new minting equipment which could be operated by electrical or hydraulic means, and, as mentioned above, a few presentation strikes of each silver denomination were struck with this equipment. A superbly matched set of these presentation strikes, each denomination the finest seen by the cataloguer, and superior to the Herz/Karon set first offered in Kagin's ANA 8/1983 sale (lot 1448). Extremely rare and desirable in this quality, and one of the most impressive Bolivian items we have offered.
Estimate: 30000-40000 USD
Republic 5 - piece silver Pattern Proof Set 1884, Potosi mint. A five-piece Proof set, as follows:- 5 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR66★ Cameo, KMPn40. Select Gem Proof with bright golden toning on the date side, and gorgeous blue and violet hues on the obverse, with amazing, essentially unmarked surfaces on both sides. - 10 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR67★ Cameo, KMPn42. Select Gem Proof and an outstanding match to the previous coin, the date side frosty and brilliant. - 20 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR66 Ultra Cameo, KMPn43. Select Gem Proof, with delicate blueish toning on the obverse and the date side fully brilliant and reflective with a small area more darkly toned. - 50 Centavos 1884 PTS-FE PR64 Cameo, KMPn44. Similarly toned to the previous coin, with a few very light handling marks mostly seen on the reverse (date side) and a ribbon-like area on that side more brightly colored. - 1 Boliviano 1884 PTS-FE PR65 Cameo, KMPn45. Similarly toned to the previous two lots, the obverse a tad more darkly colored and a similar ribbon-like bright area on the reverse.The noted ribbon-like areas more lightly colored on the three higher denominations are probably the result of the coins being pressed against a ribbon in the presentation case to pull them out. From the description of lot 29098 in our 2015 NYINC Signature Sale, we quote: "The problem of recalling the moneda feble (debased coinage, all in minor denominations) in Bolivia ... was finally dealt with by the decree of November 25, 1874. This decree allowed an 8% tolerance in the weight of the silver minor denominations up to 20 Centavos (minted to recall the moneda feble), the minting of which was henceforth preferred to that of the Medio Boliviano (50 Centavos) and particularly the 1 Boliviano coins, which constituted moneda fuerte (full fineness coins). The 1 Boliviano coins were not even issued between 1879 and 1884: contemporary accounts from that period describe coins of minor denominations piling up in counters while 1 Boliviano coins were either exported to Argentina or kept as curiosity pieces in Bolivia since hardly ever seen! The main problem was a technical one, since the 40 Hp steam press brought by Clemente Torretti (of 1868 Patterns fame) was ill-suited to mint large-diameter coins. As a result, the Boliviano issues of 1884, 1887 and 1893 are very rare since struck in very limited numbers for trial purposes when new improved machinery was being acquired."A law passed on September 6, 1883 authorized 200,000 pesos towards the acquisition of new minting equipment which could be operated by electrical or hydraulic means, and, as mentioned above, a few presentation strikes of each silver denomination were struck with this equipment. A superbly matched set of these presentation strikes, each denomination the finest seen by the cataloguer, and superior to the Herz/Karon set first offered in Kagin's ANA 8/1983 sale (lot 1448). Extremely rare and desirable in this quality, and one of the most impressive Bolivian items we have offered.
Estimate: 30000-40000 USD