Bentes Auctions
e-Auction 1 31 October 2014
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Silver, 1 Real, Carlos II, 1687, Potosi mint, assayer VR (monogram - Pedro de Villar). Heart shaped (corazón). Two dates visible (87 and 87, obverse and reverse). Two holes on top - see note. Few 1 real heart coins of Carlos II are known, very rare. Cayón 7255. 2.89 grams. Very fine. Rare.
Struck in five denominations, ranging from 1/2 to 8 Reales, the Corazones of Potosi were minted only from the end of the 17th century (Charles II, as the piece offered for sale) to the mid 1700's. Its shape can vary significantly, but basically it has the classical heart shape, with a wide stem, and a long tail. It is believed that the stem represents the flames of the Sacred Heart, which the coin is usually linked to. Almost all of these coins have been holed on the stem, probably at the mint house.
There is no confirmed explanations as to why these coins were cut into the shape of a heart, but theories have arisen; the most accepted one, given the careful cut and presence of holes in the stem, connects these coins to the usage as religious pendants. Numismatists are divided into two beliefs: the one that says these coins were used by church officials, and the other, that believes that these coins were sewed by women into their blouses, representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This coin, struck under Carlos II, is itself of a great rarity. A great chance to obtain this curious, and distinctive piece.
Struck in five denominations, ranging from 1/2 to 8 Reales, the Corazones of Potosi were minted only from the end of the 17th century (Charles II, as the piece offered for sale) to the mid 1700's. Its shape can vary significantly, but basically it has the classical heart shape, with a wide stem, and a long tail. It is believed that the stem represents the flames of the Sacred Heart, which the coin is usually linked to. Almost all of these coins have been holed on the stem, probably at the mint house.
There is no confirmed explanations as to why these coins were cut into the shape of a heart, but theories have arisen; the most accepted one, given the careful cut and presence of holes in the stem, connects these coins to the usage as religious pendants. Numismatists are divided into two beliefs: the one that says these coins were used by church officials, and the other, that believes that these coins were sewed by women into their blouses, representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This coin, struck under Carlos II, is itself of a great rarity. A great chance to obtain this curious, and distinctive piece.