Nicaragua, "imitation" cob 1 real, 1824, with El Salvador(?) countermark on cross, extremely rare. KM-6. 2.7 grams. A very rare and exciting coin that represents the first coinage of Nicaragua, its rarity significantly augmented (2 known) by a controversial countermark that is believed to show the Liberty cap for El Salvador (with whom Nicaragua exchanged coins in the days of the Central American Republic, of which neither country was a part), although other major researchers contend the countermark was applied in Leon to differentiate the coins from contemporary fakes. The host-coin's strike is rather bold, with clearly re-punched 4 in date at the bottom of full pillars, clear J-G (for Junta de Granada, the political entity behind the striking) flanking the cross, nicely toned VF with the expected hole at top. Interestingly this coin was acquired by a major European dealer in the 1800s and hoarded in a vault from at least the 1880s until now.
