Sometimes coins are found with letters in the legend or elsewhere transposed, switched in position to the next letter. This coin however is a deluxe job of transposition. The normal Latin spelling on pillar and portrait coins for Spain is "HISPAN" for "Hispaniarum". The individual responsible for punching the shield die side legend for this coin must have a bad night, creating "HIAPSN" instead, resulting in a very rare variety of what is normally a somewhat scarce date. I was lucky to be able to acquire this coin, even in its salvaged state. It must have been a virtually uncirculated coin when in ended up in the drink, as all of the details are quite bold. Gilboy notes a variety with the "M" of the right mint mark missing the lateral bar. That bar is present on this example. Lima, 8 reales, Philip V, 1771 JM, HIAPSN error. KM 64.2; Gilboy L-24-Aa (R5) 25.77 grams Errors such a this one are very unusual on pillar coins. They are much more common with the earlier cob coinage, especially with the cobs of Potosi in the 1610s through 1620s where transpositions occur not only with legends, but also with design elements, notably the positions of the lions and castles. Here's and example of the castles/lions transposition, cross side, on an 8 reales of Potosi, 1626: Potosi, 8 reales, Philip IV, 1626 P. KM19A 26.52 grams Any other transpositions out there? Thanks
I look at it as short for "Hi Ya, Playstation Network!!" Great find & addition, to your collection. I enjoy seeing them.
That is an interesting and scarce variety with strong collector interest (7 examples in acsearch). One really has to wonder how this dramatic error was ever allowed into general circulation. Congratulations on acquiring it! I don't have any transposition error examples of the 'Mundos Y Mares' type to show, but do have this example of a Lima portrait 1775 4 reales with a transposition in the word GRATIA. It reads GARTIA instead.
