Peru. 8 Reales, No Date (c. 1568-1571), P-R (Lima). WR-1; KM-13; Sellschopp 1; Calbeto 243; Guttag 3993; Dasi 126. (Francisco del Rincon, assayer). 26.70 grams.
Philip II, of Spain, 1554-1598. Crowned arms of Castille and Leon; assayer's initial at left. Reverse: Crowned pillars over waves, motto between; value below. Choice even strike, perfectly centered on very round flan. Very fine old collection toning. Of the highest rarity, and the utmost historical interest for New World numismatics. This is among the finest of little more than a handful of known examples.
It is thought that from 7 to 10 examples at most, in any grade, exist.
The coin's fame and desirability rests on the fact that it was the first crown-size coin of South America. Francisco del Rincon opened the first mint in the Americas in Mexico City in 1536.
NGC graded AU-55. Lima was founded by the conquistador, Francisco Pizarro in 1535. He named it the city of the kings. It became home to the Viceroyalty of Peru, and an important religious center as well. In fact, Lima was the second city of the New World behind Mexico City. Its mint was opened in 1568. The first 8 Reales coins struck there are great rarities. As stated by Wayte Raymond, "Of the greatest rarity and interest."
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd Collection. This coin is the Wayte Raymond plate coin (F.C.C. Boyd); and so too for Dasi (copied from the Coin Collector's Journal, Jan.-Feb. 1947, page 13). This coin's only auction appearance was in the Superior A.N.A Sale, August 1975, lot 2022, selling against a $2000 estimate for an astounding, at the time, $23,000. A similar but somewhat lesser example (lot 20) sold in 1988, at the Swiss Bank Coins of Peru Auction, October 1988, for an even more astounding $120,600! Illustrated in Money of the World, coin 145. Ex Millennia, Lot 1150.
World Crowns & Minors
