Here's an example of when it helps to have a better resource than your SCWC. I picked up this Bolivian 2 Reales a couple years back. It was my first Bolivian columnario. What first attracted me to the coin, is that it was specifically listed as 'with dot' (referring to the standard dot found above the mintmark, located at 7:00 on the left side image) - yeah, I know that's technically photographed backward, it's a hard habit to break. Anyway, as you can see: no dot at the top of the T. According to the SCWC, there are only two distinct types minted in 1770 - with dot and without. Without dot is listed only as RARE. More interesting about this coin, for those who might have the resource, there are three types listed in Gilboy's "Milled Columnario of Central and South America", I refer to page 190. Type one has the dot above the mintmark, and six petalled florets on the technical obverse. It's listed with a rarity type "N"ormal (500-1,000 pieces probably exist in VF or better). Type two has no dot above the mintmark, and five-petalled florets (or cinquefoils) on the obverse. It carried the rarest of the three types at R2 (25 to 50 pieces likely out there in VF and above). Last, the third type has a mint mark shifted WAAAAY to the left of the pillar's base. That one is "S"carce, so 250 to 500 pieces are out there to be found in VF or better. So, back to my coin... obviously it has no dot above the mint mark, so I rule out the reverse of Type 1. It definitely has six-petalled florets, so I rule out the obverse of Type 2. The mint mark is not to the left of the Pillar, so it does not have the reverse of Type 3. Hmmmmm... New unlisted type? Nope. What I believe this coin to be is a die marriage of the reverse of type 2, with an obverse of type 1 or 3 - hard to say which, since they don't have any clear diagnostic differences. I'd call this likely a sub variety of sorts. Not an unusual occurance for the coinage, but I thought it was a pretty interesting result in this case.
I'd have to disagree with you Rick and say that it is a new variety. And who knows, it may be the rarest of them all. I'd contact Gilboy about it if I were you.
You think? I just sort of figured it looked like a hybrid. I know they never issued mules, but I figured the possibility was pretty strong that this resulted from implimenting a new reverse with a left over obverse. This one came from the whittier collection a couple years back, so I guess it could be a variety not documented by Gilboy - maybe I should look them up, I think I spotted their contact information in the book's forward. Wouldn't that be something??
Rick, that is a nice Columnario, and if indeed a rare (as yet undiscovered) variety, that would be great. I would recommend contacting Frank Sedwick http://www.sedwickcoins.com/ and see if they can help you with further information. They are very knowledgeable with Spanish Colonial coinage. I was in a similar situation with a Lima 1772, 8 Reales (variety L-8-25B, P 159 in Gilboy) with dots over both L's, listed as R4. I wanted to verify its authenticity, and the gentlemen there helped me authenticate it. Regards, Eduard
Agreed! Dan actually helped me out with this purchase. he happened to have a floor agent in the auction, and he was able to pick it up for a great price. I like his new auctions - lots of really good stuff.
