LOT   /  Treasure and World Coin Auction # 16  / 

876

Denomination set of Durango, Mexico, bust 8-4-2-1-1/2 reales, Ferdinand VII, dates of 1811-1817, all

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / World Coins - World (H-O) Start Price:47,500.00 USD Estimated At:50,000.00 - 100,000.00 USD
Denomination set of Durango, Mexico, bust 8-4-2-1-1/2 reales, Ferdinand VII, dates of 1811-1817, all
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.
Denomination set of Durango, Mexico, bust 8-4-2-1-1/2 reales, Ferdinand VII, dates of 1811-1817, all rare but the 1R and 1/2R are unique, and the 4R is the finest known. 26.64, 13.35, 7.99, 3.15 and 1.63 grams. After three centuries of Spanish domination, the Mexican War of Independence broke out in 1810. During the war, it was too dangerous to transfer precious metals from the mines to the mint at Mexico City, so the local authorities ordered the installation of provisional mints. Between 1810 and 1821 these mints operated in the cities of Chihuahua, Durango, Guadalajara, Guanajuato and Zacatecas (in addition to a handful of others whose coinage was somewhat less official). The provisional nature of these mints resulted in generally flawed but unique coinage. Today these “War of Independence” issues are heavily collected by numismatists who appreciate the challenge of their singular crudeness and overall rarity. This unique set truly shows the character of its time, as most of the coins are indeed crude and very rare, and its assemblage by the current consignor took patience and knowledge as well as an eye for quality. The 8 reales, 1811RM, in toned Fine, is the finest known among only 3 or 4 pieces known and is the only known example with clearly visible mintmark oD. The 4 reales, a richly toned AU- 1817MZ, is acknowledged as the finest known. The 2 reales, 1811RM, is a nicely toned VF, rather crude in style like the 8R. Finally, the 1 real, 1815/14, and the 1/2 real, 1814, are unique and very attractive as lightly toned VF-XF for the type, which is visibly less crude than the 1811 pieces in this lot but still a far cry from the neatness of the 1817 4R. The 1R is pedigreed to the Ponterio auction of January 2005 (lot #533), and the 1/2R is pedigreed to the Jaime Varon collection.

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