Oruro, Bolivia, 1 sol (medallic coinage), 1849JM, Belzu, coin axis (very rare, two known), ex-Whittier.Burnett-unl (cf 29A for medal axis); Fonrobert-unl (cf 9782 for medal axis); KM-X85.2.3.36 grams.Obverse with Cerro de Socabon with church to left and sun to right within wreath under legend CERRO DE. SOCN.; reverse with GRATITUD / AL SOR. Pe: / [script] MYB. with legend REPUBLICA BOLIVIANA at top and .OR.1S.1849.JM. across bottom, the latter being the Oruro mintmark (monogram), denomination 1 sol, date and assayer, hence unquestionably intended to circulate as a coin; reeded edge. Bold but slightly off-center strike, AU- with hints of toning and luster, holed at top, with characteristic die-crack across assayer. Among the medallic coinage of Bolivia, the one-year Oruro issues are considered the keys and sell for much more than the rest. This one has the distinction of having coin axis (all the more reason to consider it a true coin), a trait shared by only one other known example.Pedigreed to the Whittier Collection of Bolivian Monetary Medals.
($500-1000)