Cobs and Macuquinas from Potosi, Bolivia coins

 

SILVER COBS OF POTOSI, BOLIVIA, 1574-1773

When it comes to silver cobs, no mint was more prolific than Potosi, Bolivia, where an entire mountain of silver was discovered in the early 1500s. It took a little while before authorities figured out that a mint was needed on site, where the silver was being mined, even though the extreme remoteness and elevation presented major problems that were never fully resolved. The most egregious problem, perhaps, was an almost lawless environment where silver barons controlled the government and took full advantage by owning and profiting from mint offices and even by debasing the silver itself, causing a major scandal that put the entire world on its financial ear in the mid-1600s. Up to that point Potosi struck shield-type cobs, some of which were then recalled and either melted or countermarked (to attest to proper fineness) in 1652. To rectify the whole system, a new design was begun in that year, starting with some "transitional" issues and culminating in the pillars-and-waves design that became a global mainstay again throughout the rest of the 1600s and most of the 1700s. In 1773 the last cob ever struck came off the press in Potosi, long since superseded by milled coins (begun there in 1767).

 

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Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip II, assayer B (5th period), borders of x's.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, Philip II, assayer B (5th period), borders of x's. Well-detailed VF+ despite doubling all over, uneven thickness, full crown and shield and cross, much of king's name in legend.g091103426074$185

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Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, 162(?)T (mid-1620s).Potosi­, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, 162(?)T (mid-1620s). Lustrous AU with flat areas (no toning), good full shield, doubled cross.g011123021001$195
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, assayer not visible (late 1620s?), thick planchet (7.4 grams). Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, assayer not visible (late 1620s?), thick planchet (7.4 grams). Interestingly very thick coin with full cross and shield, patchy toning, Fine for wear.g081118151038$100
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, assayer not visible.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, Philip IV, assayer not visible. Broad flan with small, full (1R size?) shield with denomination "z" to right, full but doubled cross, king's ordinal III in legend, Fine.g071003196007$50

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Potosí, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer R (curved leg). Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer R (curved leg). Good full shield and cross, Fine with toned fields, good for jewelry.g081118151037$90
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer RL.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer RL. Small but clear P-RL (curved leg) to left of full shield, good cross, darkly toned AVF with encrustation, slightly crude edge.g021103295011$80
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer R.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer R. Good full shield with clear assayer to left, full but doubled cross, AVF with dark toning and encrustation.g021103295010$75
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer not visible (ca. 1620), upper half of shield transposed (rare). Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip III, assayer not visible (ca. 1620), upper half of shield transposed (rare). Full shield (slightly off-center) with clear error and bold denomination I, crudly toned full cross, Fine overall.g081118151039$110
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip IV, assayer not visible, overweight (thick) flan (4.1 g).Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, Philip IV, assayer not visible, overweight (thick) flan (4.1 g). Crude strike but nearly full shield and cross, darkly toned, Fine overall.g091103426084$40

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Potosí, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, Philip II, assayer B to left (5th period), mintmark P to right, borders of x's. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, Philip II, assayer B to left (5th period), mintmark P to right, borders of x's. Very bold full monogram and B-P, good full cross, prominent borders, VF with corrosion around edge.g081118151010$75
Lot of 6 Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 reales, Philip III-IV, one with assayer R (curved-leg) visible. 7.4 grams total. Most with PLVS VLTRA legends, all salvaged but F-VF details, nice little group for study.Lot of 6 Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 reales, Philip III-IV, one with assayer R (curved-leg) visible. 7.4 grams total. Most with PLVS VLTRA legends, all salvaged but F-VF details, nice little group for study.g111104191013-18$45 each individually or $35 each for all.

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Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1690VR. Good full pillars-and-waves, most of cross (well centered), 3 dates, AVF with light green sediment and typical natural edge-splits. Potosí silver cobs Pillars-and-waves Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1688VR, choice. g111116111005$795
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1690VR. Good full pillars-and-waves, most of cross (well centered), 3 dates, AVF with light green sediment and typical natural edge-splits. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1690VR. Good full pillars-and-waves, most of cross (well centered), 3 dates, AVF with light green sediment and typical natural edge-splits.g041103347001$475
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1691VR, choice. Excellent full cross and pillars with 1 clear date and parts of 2 others, small edge-split, attractively toned VF. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1691VR, choice. Excellent full cross and pillars with 1 clear date and parts of 2 others, small edge-split, attractively toned VF.g081118151001$595
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1697VR, choice. Attractively toned VF with great full cross, crown and pillars, 3 assayers, well centered. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1697VR, choice. Attractively toned VF with great full cross, crown and pillars, 3 assayers, well centered.g081118151002$595
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1710Y. S-P43a; KM-31; CT-870. 26.5 grams. Bold date (scarce) between pillars, nice center of cross, typically chunky (flat peripheries) but nicely toned AVF.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1710Y. S-P43a; KM-31; CT-870. 26.5 grams. Bold date (scarce) between pillars, nice center of cross, typically chunky (flat peripheries) but nicely toned AVF.g111104191022$495
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1723Y, rare (missing in Karon). S-P43a; KM-31; CT-883. 25.0 grams. Full and bold date below cross and second date between pillars, 2 bold assayers, typically crude but no worse than AVF and attractively toned.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1723Y, rare (missing in Karon). S-P43a; KM-31; CT-883. 25.0 grams. Full and bold date below cross and second date between pillars, 2 bold assayers, typically crude but no worse than AVF and attractively toned.g111104191023$525
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1765(V-Y), unique error with 6/7 in date. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1765(V-Y), unique error with 6/7 in date. Typically thick and chunky and with flat sides but bold centers, showing a clear date with obvious overdate, technically no worse than AVF.g081104191009$295
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1772(V-Y), nice. Thick and chunky as usual but with bold full date and cross, nicely toned AVF for the era. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales, 1772(V-Y), nice. Thick and chunky as usual but with bold full date and cross, nicely toned AVF for the era. g111116111006$395

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Potosi, Bolivia, cob 4 reales, 1744C. S-P49; KM-30a; CT-1129. 13.0 grams. Good but off-center cross, clear date between well-centered pillars, VF with mostly dark toning.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 4 reales, 1744C. S-P49; KM-30a; CT-1129. 13.0 grams. Good but off-center cross, clear date between well-centered pillars, VF with mostly dark toning.g111104191024$240

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Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1668(E). Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1668(E). Crude strike (much flatness) and salvaged (light corrosion) but with 3 clear dates, Fine overall, deeply toned.g081118151009$125
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1687VR. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1687VR. Broad flan with 3 bold dates, full CAROLVS II, full cross and pillars-and-waves, only Fine but with contrasting toning on fields.g061104191041$250
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1716Y. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1716Y, 2 dates. Curiously olive-shaped flan with full but slightly double cross and pillars, 2 dates, high grade (XF+). g111103446005$195
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1716Y.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1716Y. Full pillars-and-waves, full but doubled and slightly off-center cross with bold Y to right, darkly toned Fine, slightly crude strike. g071103387004$165
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1735E. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1726Y, (Louis I), rare. Richly toned AXF with full pillars-and-waves and nearly full cross (both well centered), 3 assayers. g111103446007$295
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1735E. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1735E. Good full cross and pillars, 2 dates, About Fine.g061104191044$90
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1739M. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1739M. Full pillars, off-center cross, 3 assayers, VG+.g061104191045$80
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1753C/q, rare over-assayer.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1753C/q, rare over-assayer. Two dates, typically chunky, Fine overall.g100716111017$95
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1760V-(Y). Potosi, Bolivia, cob 2 reales, 1760V-(Y). Nearly full cross and pillars, typically chunky, VF with spots of blue and black encrustation.g050804191049$90

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Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1652E, post-transitional, choice. Two bold dates, good pillars-and-waves and cross, nicely toned XF. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1652E, post-transitional, choice. Two bold dates, good pillars-and-waves and cross, nicely toned XF. g081118151034$95
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1661E. Big flan, nice centers (full cross, nearly full pillars-and-waves), VF. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1661E. Big flan, nice centers (full cross, nearly full pillars-and-waves), VF. g081118151026$95
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1663E. Three dates, including full 4-digit date in legend (rare thus), full pillars-and-waves (the latter darkly stained), XF. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1663E. Three dates, including full 4-digit date in legend (rare thus), full pillars-and-waves (the latter darkly stained), XF. g081118151031$95
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1669E. Full pillars and cross but some weak areas and crude flan overall, 2 dates, partially toned F. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1669E. Full pillars and cross but some weak areas and crude flan overall, 2 dates, partially toned F. g081118151027$85
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1678E. Thick and solid flan with nearly full pillars and cross, darkly toned XF, clear date and assayer and mintmark. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1678E. Thick and solid flan with nearly full pillars and cross, darkly toned XF, clear date and assayer and mintmark. g081118151023$90
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1680V. Broad, round and well-centered with choice full cross and pillars, 2 dates, VF+ with toned fields, crude edge as made. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1680V. Broad, round and well-centered with choice full cross and pillars, 2 dates, VF+ with toned fields, crude edge as made. g081118151032$95
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1684V. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1684V. Full pillars-and-waves, parts of 3 dates, technically Fine or better but with flat streak across center, no toning.g091103426083$40
Potosí, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1689VR. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1689VR. Three dates and assayers, full but off-center cross and pillars, slightly crude Fine, pedigreed to the Mark Bir collection.g051004191027$95
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1700(F?), sideways 8 for 00 in date. Full but off-center pillars with bold date in which an 8-punch was used, crude and off-center cross, AVF overall with sediment of various colors on fields. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1700(F?), sideways 8 for 00 in date. Full but off-center pillars with bold date in which an 8-punch was used, crude and off-center cross, AVF overall with sediment of various colors on fields. g111103446009$85
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1735E. Nicely toned AXF with nearly full cross, full and well-centered pillars-and-waves, roundish flan. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1735E. Nicely toned AXF with nearly full cross, full and well-centered pillars-and-waves, roundish flan. g081118151029$85
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1739M. Good full cross and pillars, VF, no toning. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1739M. Good full cross and pillars, VF, no toning. g081118151025$90
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1743C. Full pillars with bold date, full cross with bold assayer, VF with toned fields. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1743C. Full pillars with bold date, full cross with bold assayer, VF with toned fields. g081118151024$90
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1751(q?). Bold date between full pillars, off-center cross with date below, nicely toned VF+, neat shape. Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1 real, 1751(q?). Bold date between full pillars, off-center cross with date below, nicely toned VF+, neat shape. g081118151033$85

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Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1671, rare and choice.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1671, rare and choice. Full monogram and date and cross, VF or better but with some flat areas, first specimen of this date we have handled since the Karon sale in 1991.g081118151005$95
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1686.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1686. Very bold full monogram and date, good full cross with second date in legend, broad flan with slightly crude edge, VF overall.g081118151012$60
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1716.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1716. Bold monogram and date, incomplete cross, salvaged (probably Rimac River).g111016111010$55
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1735.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1735. Thin from salvage (probably Rimac River) but with bold date, full monogram and cross.g120903052003$55
Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1745.Potosi, Bolivia, cob 1/2 real, 1745. Bold full date, nearly full cross, lightly toned but salvaged AVF.g081118151016$55
Potosí, Bolivia, cob ½ real, 1758. Potosi, Bolivia, cob ½ real, 1758. Good cross, most of monogram above date, typically crude, AVF.g030907505045$50
Potosí, Bolivia, cob ½ real, 1767, rare. Potosi, Bolivia, cob ½ real, 1767, rare. Bold but off-center date (usually off the flan), most of cross, lightly porous Fine.g030907505047$55

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