Watch List notes:

EAST ASIA. East Asia - Bolivia. 4 Reales, 1774-PTS JR. San Luis Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS Genuine--Damage, EF Details Gold Shield.
KM-54; Chopmark News-Vol 15, issue 3 pg. 65. Cross with pellets in all four quadrants within circular boarder applied to the obverse of a 1774-PTS JR Bolivia 4 Reales of Charles III. The countermark is boldly applied with clearly defined characteristics. A wholesome moderately circulated example of this enigmatic issue exhibiting mottled tawny and sage patina. A neat issue, sure to add depth to even an advanced collection of cut and countermarked coinage. As a point of reference we sold a identical example from the Kyle Ponterio collection in our January NYINC 2020 auction Lot # 21025 where it sold for $900 plus the buyers fee.

There are several possible attributions for this countermark/chopmark to East Asia with no solid evidence that proves any of them. The most likely attribution is to Malacca as seen in the Daniel Frank Sedwick Treasure auction 26 November 1-2, 2019 Lot #581 a 1730-MoF Mexico Cob 8 Reales with an identical marking which came from a hoard from this region. Another possible attribution is to Indonesia on the island of Sumatra, but that does not follow the style normally associated with the island. The third and least likely is to pre-Meiji Japan where this mark has the meaning for "Rice", however bust coinage would not have circulated during this time period. With no solid evidence; the attribution is uncertain, what is certain is that this mark does appear in the same place on bust coinage regardless of mint or denomination. To view all items from the BKingdom Collection, Click here.

From the BKingdom Collection.

Estimate: $300.00- $500.00