COLOMBIA. 1633-RNE 8 Reales. Cartagena mint. Philip IV (1621-1665). Restrepo M45, 1633. VF-35 (PCGS).
26.25 grams. An exciting rarity in this series. As described by Restrepo, "this 1633 cob should have mint mark C, as used for coins dated 1630 to 1635, but its mark is NR [sic, should be RN] as used for coins struck from 1626 to 1630. A reverse die of the previous coins was used (a transition piece)." The surfaces are attractive light gray with some darker contrast. Some trivial surface corrosion at the base of the cross suggests its salvage provenance. The denomination is clear, though V is a bit soft, and the N of the mintmark is crisp while other associated letters above and below are ill defined. The shield is bold, though the crown is not struck up. The sharpest part of the cross side is the date, which is full, intact, and perfect, with an unstruck area above it. A fascinating piece from the era just before Cartagena's long hiatus.
From the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins.
Estimate: $2000.00- $4000.00