1023

Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip II, assayer R (Rincon), extremely rare first "dollar" of Potos

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Cobs - Potosi Silver Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip II, assayer R (Rincon), extremely rare first  dollar  of Potos
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This item SOLD at 2012 Oct 26 @ 20:33UTC-4 : AST/EDT
All items are genuine unless noted. Most shipwreck coins and artifacts come with a certificate of authenticity (please check the description for each item). By bidding in this auction you understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions posted here.
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip II, assayer R (Rincon), extremely rare first "dollar" of Potosi. S-P1; KM-5.1; CT-142. 27.0 grams. The most desirable coins of each of the main colonial mints are its first 8 reales, all very rare, and all with the same assayer-mark R for Rincon (starting with Francisco in Mexico and continuing with his brother Alonso in Lima and Potosi. The Mexican is the rarest, represented by just 3 specimens, all from one shipwreck, the best of which sold at auction a few years ago for about $374,000. The Lima specimens are next, about 7-10 known, the best of which sold at auction decades ago for about $132,000. A not-so-distant third is Potosi, with about 10-15 specimens known, the best of which sold at auction decades ago for about $25,000. Since then, the number of Potosi cob collectors has increased, and we can think of several advanced Potosi 8R collectors whose collections lack only the first issue of Rincon. While the present specimen is doubled on both sides, with a weak spot in both centers, the fact is that it is still well detailed, with much bold legend and shield and crown, also cross-lions-castles with distinctive tressure, and well centered, no worse than AVF, with contrasting toning on fields. We congratulate the next owner in advance!