631

BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales, 1646 T, upper half of shield transposed, unique.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Cobs - Potosi Silver Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales, 1646 T, upper half of shield transposed, unique.
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BOLIVIA, Potosí, cob 8 reales, 1646 T, upper half of shield transposed, unique. S-P30; KM-unl (19a for type); Cal-unl (Type 327). 26.19 grams. This coin is a fascinating puzzle, as the important pieces are all there (full shield and cross) but obfuscated by a rotated double-strike that requires an examination of both strikes to get the whole picture. Most obvious is the fact that the upper half of the shield is transposed, the first and only example we have seen for the mid- to late 1640s (based on the "furry" lions in the cross); but upon close examination you can also see P-T to the left of the shield and a full small 6 of the date at 11 o'clock outside the cross, preceded by the bottom of a small 4 nestled in the border of dots (the small digits a characteristic of 1646-47 only). The question, however, is whether that 6 of the date is the final digit or the second digit (hence 1647 is also possible), as it is positioned at the point of the tressure-brace of the second strike, which would be about 10 o'clock instead. In any case, the coin is no worse than Fine+ for wear, with light contrasting toning, XRF tested at 97% silver (a rather high fineness, perhaps to somehow make up for the fraudulent coins that were being produced at this time).