Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2022 NYINC Auction 14-16 Jan 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
PARAGUAY. War of The Triple Alliance. 4 Pesos Fuertes, ND (1864-72). VERY FINE.
KM-E2; cf. Pena-6. Weight: 6.49 gms. Issued during the War of the Triple Alliance (Paraguay against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay), abolished by Decree 24 February 1872. Cut 1/4 Spanish colonial 8 Escudos of Charles III with oblique edges applied to cuts, stamped incuse "4" in corner of obverse indicating 4 Pesos Fuertes. An EXTREMELY RARE issue with only a couple of known examples, this survivor being a newly discovery piece. The countermark is deeply applied and well defined on a moderately worn host coin with minor earthen deposits amongst the devices and crevasses. The edge cuts, one cut from the obverse and the other from the reverse with a hand applied oblique edge. This handsome example displays an attractive pale gold coloration offering much originality and a pleasing appearance. The two major grading services have declined to certify this piece, NGC as "Questionable Authenticity" and PCGS as "Authenticity Unverifiable", as the incuse 4 stamp differs slightly to the only other published example and as such is being SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS.
KM-E2; cf. Pena-6. Weight: 6.49 gms. Issued during the War of the Triple Alliance (Paraguay against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay), abolished by Decree 24 February 1872. Cut 1/4 Spanish colonial 8 Escudos of Charles III with oblique edges applied to cuts, stamped incuse "4" in corner of obverse indicating 4 Pesos Fuertes. An EXTREMELY RARE issue with only a couple of known examples, this survivor being a newly discovery piece. The countermark is deeply applied and well defined on a moderately worn host coin with minor earthen deposits amongst the devices and crevasses. The edge cuts, one cut from the obverse and the other from the reverse with a hand applied oblique edge. This handsome example displays an attractive pale gold coloration offering much originality and a pleasing appearance. The two major grading services have declined to certify this piece, NGC as "Questionable Authenticity" and PCGS as "Authenticity Unverifiable", as the incuse 4 stamp differs slightly to the only other published example and as such is being SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS.
During the War of the Triple Alliance gold and silver coins were cut into 2, 4 and 8 parts to circumvent the small change shortage and to pay soldiers. Several different types are known to have been issued during this time, primarily through merchants or other civilians, with different edges and stamps. It is the opinion of this cataloger that the current example is indeed a legitimate issue of the time. The surfaces exhibit signs of circulation both prior and post mutilation as well the style and pattern of the cut edges.
Estimate: $7000 - $10000