Watch List notes:

BOLIVIA. Cob 4 Reales, ND (1649-51)-P. Potosi Mint; Assayer Juan Rodriguez de Rodas (O). Philip IV. PCGS EF-40; Countermark: AU Details.
KM-17B; Cal-Type-279. Weight: 12.77 gms. An exceptionally attractive 4 Reales piece struck on a generously broad planchet. Presented at each side of the nearly complete Habsburg shield are the mintmark, assayer's symbol, and denomination mark. On the right, the monarch's full name is legible. The reverse shows complete castles and lions, struck with fine detail and intruded only by a distinct crown countermark. Though the word "ANO" is visible on the outer legend, the date that follows it is unfortunately off-flan. This impressive crown is endowed with beauty, rarity, and historical intrigue in equal measure.

Following the Potosi Mint Scandal and execution of the guilty parties, Juan Rodriguez de Rodas and his assistant Antonio Ovando were brought on as assayers in 1649. Incredibly, they too were found to be involved in fraudulent activity at the mint and were themselves removed and replaced in 1651. The 4 Reales pieces struck prior to 1649 were revalued at 3 Reales, while those from between 1649 and 1651 (the tenure of Rodriguez de Rodas) were revalued at 3 3/4 Reales. This suggests that while the temptation to steal was too great for Rodriguez de Rodas to resist, the memory of the fraud scandal and ensuing convictions made him cautious enough to conduct his thievery with more subtlety. The crown countermark clearly displayed on the reverse of this coin indicated the devaluation to 3 3/4 Reales. To view all items from the Pat Johnson Collection, click here.

From the Pat Johnson Collection.

Privately purchased from Mike Dunigan.

Estimate: $400 - $600