Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice November 2022 Auction 14-17 Nov 2022
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PERU. Cob 4 Reales, 1731-L. Lima Mint; Assayer Joaquin Negron y Colmenares (N). Philip V. PCGS Genuine--Surface Damage, EF Details.
KM-33A; Cal-1044. Weight: 13.20 gms. This intriguing 4 Reales piece from Lima bears a contemporary gilt plating. Although we cannot be certain of this coin's purpose or provenance, it is possible that someone applied a wash of low-karat gold to its surfaces in an attempt to pass it off as a much more valuable 4 Escudos piece. The theory is plausible because, just as with the later "Racketeer Nickel" that is now popular with US coin collectors, the 4 Reales and 4 Escudos issues of Lima were extremely similar in weight and design. Over time, the golden color must have faded and now the plating has worn off in several areas, revealing the silver underneath. The coin's surfaces still show a clear denomination and date along with fragments of its mintmarks and assayer's initials. We can only speculate as to whether some unfortunate soul was swindled by this nefarious scheme; what is certain is that the curious piece has survived until today as a rather handsome 4 Reales with quite a story to tell. To view all items from the Pat Johnson Collection, click here.
From the Pat Johnson Collection.
KM-33A; Cal-1044. Weight: 13.20 gms. This intriguing 4 Reales piece from Lima bears a contemporary gilt plating. Although we cannot be certain of this coin's purpose or provenance, it is possible that someone applied a wash of low-karat gold to its surfaces in an attempt to pass it off as a much more valuable 4 Escudos piece. The theory is plausible because, just as with the later "Racketeer Nickel" that is now popular with US coin collectors, the 4 Reales and 4 Escudos issues of Lima were extremely similar in weight and design. Over time, the golden color must have faded and now the plating has worn off in several areas, revealing the silver underneath. The coin's surfaces still show a clear denomination and date along with fragments of its mintmarks and assayer's initials. We can only speculate as to whether some unfortunate soul was swindled by this nefarious scheme; what is certain is that the curious piece has survived until today as a rather handsome 4 Reales with quite a story to tell. To view all items from the Pat Johnson Collection, click here.
From the Pat Johnson Collection.
Privately purchased from Jess Peters, circa 1974.
Estimate: $250 - $400