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 Replies: 19 / Views: 4,468 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
684 Posts |
This is really nice ½ real. Proof like fields and the devices are almost cameo. There are a couple small marks to the right of the bust. The pillar side is perfect. Bought it as NGC MS 64. If I had bought it as a 65 I would not be displeased.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
Very clean surfaces (cheek and fields), excellent strike, and reflectivity... nice piece.
Out of curiosity, do you dabble in the 1/4 reals, or even the 1R (a tough denomination)? Also, do you collect cob halfR also? I've been looking into those more. They're so darn hard to attribute sometimes... they vex you.
Edited by realeswatcher
07/16/2011 04:16 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
Very nice coin - these lower denominations are truly under appreciated. Of course when you get older and start with the double vision you appreciate the larger coins more.  I wish now I was interested in coins the size of the Panama 20 Balboa just so I could see the design without some form of assistance. But thank heaven for large screen PC's and cheap digital cameras. I can clearly see my 8Rs and even tiny 1/4 reale once again. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
684 Posts |
This is what I did after finishing a first reform set (still need a nice 1906/5 5c and a 1926/5 20c), I assembled a general type set of Republic and colonial by denomination by ruler, sans <1824 gold. Then talked with some experts about scarcity, availability, forgeries, etc. Then looked at the coins with an eye for aesthetics. The short list was:
1. Gem Republic 8Rs -- impossible, and Dunigan has already documented these very well.
2. Colonial 2Rs, the famous 2-bits. My wife likes them.
3. Colonial ½R, affordable, huge variety, understudied, possible to complete, and make a contribution to numismatic research.
So I decided to concentrate on the 1732-1821 1/2R.
COB 1/2Rs are crummy coins, and I agree very hard to attribute. I have a 1/4 are 1799/8 MS 62 that NGC mislabeled as a 1799, I'll put up a pic. The design on the 1/4R is superb , but the coin is too small for me. Also have a date set of Tlacos, constantly upgrading these and have never seen a BU.
Have a couple dozen 1R, one gem. As with the other colonial denominations I like the transition types, Carolus IIII with Carolus III bust.
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Pillar of the Community
Czech Republic
803 Posts |
Beautiful coin. I wonder if NCS conserved this one - not a spot of toning and the luster is booming, so it doesn't appear to have been simply dipped.
I agree with Bob, very under appreciated series with gems still being available without breaking the bank.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
684 Posts |
I don't think NCS had at this one. Didn't catch it in the photo but there is light peripheral gold toning.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
"Colonial ½R - affordable, huge variety, understudied, possible to complete (!), and make a contribution to numismatic research."
-- That's a very fair collecting philosophy... good luck with your endeavor. Though I have to offer... if you can manage to complete a full of even just Mexico mint issues in higher grades (INCLUDING the 1732 and 1733 issues)... God bless - affordability is NOT one of your concerns! LOL
"COB 1/2Rs are crummy coins, and I agree very hard to attribute..."
-- Correct, and correct! Certainly not the series for whom eye appeal/high grade is an important consideration. More of an "eye of the beholder" thing... which contributes to these, IMO, being even more understudied/underappreciated (undervalued?) than their milled descendants... Obviously nothing is going to be as aesthetically appealing as a semi-PL portrait 1/2... but go ahead, TRY to find even a average circulated decently-struck Carlos II Mexico cob 1/2R WITH VISIBLE DATE. I triple dare you.
"The design on the 1/4R is superb, but the coin is too small for me."
-- Exactly. I was curious to see what you, as someone who is clearly into the half-reales, would think about them... They do seem to have a bit of a devoted following at the higher end... but I'd imagine it's a limited group.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1962 Posts |
"Beautiful coin. I wonder if NCS conserved this one - not a spot of toning and the luster is booming, so it doesn't appear to have been simply dipped."
It is QUITE a clean looking piece... However, if NCS or similar did their thing and that photo is true to what the piece looks like in hand (assuming nothing above and beyond like altering the surfaces, refrosting the devices or anything like that)... kudos to them!
Maybe the piece is just a little gem that actually IS that nice... WestWood did intimate that he could see it as a 65. The strike appears perfect and eye appeal is DEFINITELY there.
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
1/4 reales are also darn expensive, check the last heritage sell (they had two) Just received one (not as nice, but still in great quality considering its size), will try to post a picture tonight if I find some time. Also checked what I had for Carolus II ... and I don't have a half real for now :) I love the Santa Maria design though, got the 1,2 and 4 reales cob of this one, and the 1 real segovia Here is the 4 reales :  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
684 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
Thanks :)
Yep, I love that 4 reales :D Received it last week, costed me an arm, but well ... it worth it :p
The date is not listed in Calico - which makes it even more impressive to have :D
I still have to take time to do the picture of the 1/4 real (plus some others I have to send).
Edited by MathieuMa
07/23/2011 3:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
Here is the 1/4 real I acquired recently. The coin is sooo small, and there is even a nice square and circle rim on it :) (although hardly visible)   PS : sorry for the cat's fur on the coin :p Edited by MathieuMa
07/31/2011 5:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
MathieuMa Regarding the Silver Quarter Reale from Santiago, Chile - while I am no expert on Chilean coins in general - I am very concerned that the coin is not an original. The King's profile is not right based on the few photos I could locate and the raised lines crossing the face and the shield are very suspect.
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Pillar of the Community
France
1591 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5362 Posts |
That looks far better as far as the design goes. The raised lines still bother me however.
It could be corrosion I don't know.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
684 Posts |
Very interesting coin. The transitional types, portrait of Charles III with legend of Charles IV/IIII, are intriguing. There is more to it than, oh we don't know what the new king looks like.
What's especially interesting about this coin, at least according to KM, is that this is the first year of issue for this denomination. So the Chilean mint must have made intentionally cut the new dies with the dead king's portrait for this denomination.
The coin database says this type is 13mm in diameter, seems large for a ¼ R. What is the diameter of this coin?
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Replies: 19 / Views: 4,468 |
Posted 07/16/2011 11:12 am
