Bentes Auctions
e-Auction 1 31 October 2014
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Brazil, Afonso VI. Crowned countermark of 600 réis, type I crown (Kurt Prober) struck on an 8 Reales, 1660, Felipe IV, Star of Lima, essayer V (Francisco Villegas). Countermark KM 19.3, Gomes 47.01 (does not mention this host coin), Bentes 15.01 (does not mention this host coin). Host, KM 16.2, Calicó 352. Of the highest rarity, population of less than 5. NGC VF 20.
The history of a Star
Peruvian numismatic history starts when, in August 21, 1565, Philip II orders, with a Royal Decree, the foundation of the mint house of Lima, in the Viceroyalty of Peru, due to the scarcity of local currency. Only silver coins were struck (1/2, 1, 2, 4, and 8 Reales) until 1588 when the King ordered the closure of the mint house, starting the works at the mint house of Potosi, in Bolivia.
In 1659, the Viceroy Luis Enríquez de Guzmán (Count of Alba de Liste) re-opened the mint house, without waiting for the approvation of King Phillip IV. In a letter to the King, Alba de Liste comments on the reasons for the re-opening of the mint house:
"the amount of counterfeit coins and the lack of currency in the whole kingdom; (...) And not less unforgiveable is the formation of a mint house, in Lima, as I determined, having the city and its commerce demanded for it, and having all the ministers to whom I have shown this resolution considered it necessary".
Thus, during the years of 1659 and 1660, the mint house of Lima struck coins with face values of 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8 Reales and 8 Escudos. These coins were known as Stars of Lima, due to the star that they brought on their reverse, either above the face value or in the center of the field. In 1660, the Spanish King ordered again the closure of the mint house, putting an end to the mintage of this fascinating coin.
All the coins of this series, especially the fractional values and pieces with date 1660 (such as the coin offered in this auction), are quite rare. Lately some specimens have been recovered in shipwrecks, but for the most part they are extremely damaged.
From Peru to Brazil
Spanish coins were causing a huge problem in Portugal at the time. Through the Royal letter of May 26, 1651, the King Afonso VI orders these coins to be delivered at the mint house, being paid for their intrinsic value, to be melt and struck as Portuguese coins (Cruzados). As many counterfeit Spanish coins kept entering Portuguese ports, for the most part made in Peru, the Decree of June 6 forbade their circulation, ordering them to be delivered at the mint houses of Lisbon, OPorto and Evora to be converted into Portuguese currency, paying for these coins their intrinsic value.
In 1660, the Juiz do Povo sent a request to the Senate, regarding the project of increase of face values of gold and silver coins, due to the great war expenses agains Spain.
After the news that the Spanish army was getting ready to invade Portugal again, and being Portugal in urgent need of great means of resistance, thus making it harder for the export of silver coins, it was decreted in March 22, 1663, the increase of 25% on their face values. 8 Reales coins, that ran for 480 réis, started to run for 600 réis. It was then that our Star of Lima coin, after an extensive travel and many misadventures, arrived at the mint to be marked, and converted into a Luso-Brazilian coin.
Now, 350 years later, it can be a part of your collection, forever. A coin with as much history, as fascination to it.
The history of a Star
Peruvian numismatic history starts when, in August 21, 1565, Philip II orders, with a Royal Decree, the foundation of the mint house of Lima, in the Viceroyalty of Peru, due to the scarcity of local currency. Only silver coins were struck (1/2, 1, 2, 4, and 8 Reales) until 1588 when the King ordered the closure of the mint house, starting the works at the mint house of Potosi, in Bolivia.
In 1659, the Viceroy Luis Enríquez de Guzmán (Count of Alba de Liste) re-opened the mint house, without waiting for the approvation of King Phillip IV. In a letter to the King, Alba de Liste comments on the reasons for the re-opening of the mint house:
"the amount of counterfeit coins and the lack of currency in the whole kingdom; (...) And not less unforgiveable is the formation of a mint house, in Lima, as I determined, having the city and its commerce demanded for it, and having all the ministers to whom I have shown this resolution considered it necessary".
Thus, during the years of 1659 and 1660, the mint house of Lima struck coins with face values of 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8 Reales and 8 Escudos. These coins were known as Stars of Lima, due to the star that they brought on their reverse, either above the face value or in the center of the field. In 1660, the Spanish King ordered again the closure of the mint house, putting an end to the mintage of this fascinating coin.
All the coins of this series, especially the fractional values and pieces with date 1660 (such as the coin offered in this auction), are quite rare. Lately some specimens have been recovered in shipwrecks, but for the most part they are extremely damaged.
From Peru to Brazil
Spanish coins were causing a huge problem in Portugal at the time. Through the Royal letter of May 26, 1651, the King Afonso VI orders these coins to be delivered at the mint house, being paid for their intrinsic value, to be melt and struck as Portuguese coins (Cruzados). As many counterfeit Spanish coins kept entering Portuguese ports, for the most part made in Peru, the Decree of June 6 forbade their circulation, ordering them to be delivered at the mint houses of Lisbon, OPorto and Evora to be converted into Portuguese currency, paying for these coins their intrinsic value.
In 1660, the Juiz do Povo sent a request to the Senate, regarding the project of increase of face values of gold and silver coins, due to the great war expenses agains Spain.
After the news that the Spanish army was getting ready to invade Portugal again, and being Portugal in urgent need of great means of resistance, thus making it harder for the export of silver coins, it was decreted in March 22, 1663, the increase of 25% on their face values. 8 Reales coins, that ran for 480 réis, started to run for 600 réis. It was then that our Star of Lima coin, after an extensive travel and many misadventures, arrived at the mint to be marked, and converted into a Luso-Brazilian coin.
Now, 350 years later, it can be a part of your collection, forever. A coin with as much history, as fascination to it.