Watch List notes:

Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1617 M, NGC MS 62, finest known in NGC census. S-P19; KM-10; Cal-921. 27.37 grams. Broad flan with full P-M and 1617 date that appears twice due to a shifted double-strike that does not affect the superb full cross-lions-castles ((the shield also full and choice) whose sharpness of details and manifest luster (with faint toning near edge only) justify this coin's position as not only the finest for the date and type, but also the highest grade given to any Potosi cob 8R by NGC. As such, this coin is the ultimate trophy for the grade connoisseur looking for the best example of the first dated "crown" of Potosi. It is also interesting to note that this first-date example demonstrates how that part of the legend on a previous die was simply erased (including the border of dots) before adding the date. Pedigreed to the Ponterio auction of November 2005 (lot 1329).
($1000-2000)