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| Sol de Mayo |
ARGENTINA
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8R 1813PTS J
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NGC AU 55
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1813 8 reales of the Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata, formerly the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Rio del la Plata that included parts of modern day Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia. This is from the first year of issues, after the royalist forces retreated from part of Alto Perú leaving the mint at Potosí under the control of the revolutionaries. Another issue followed in 1815 when the revolutionary forces once again controlled the mint. Ultimately, Alto Perú gained independence in 1825 taking the name Bolivia in honor of Simón Bolívar.
This is the first year of issue and was minted in Potosi. The sunface design on this coin is known as the Sol de Mayo from the story that the sun shone forth from the clouds at the declaration of the new, independent government in May of 1810. The design is similar to the heraldic device called the "sun in splendor", notable for having alternating straight and wavy rays.
Slabbed purchase from the September 2015 Long Beach Expo World Coins Signature Auction. From the auction catalog: "Argentina, Potosi mint, KM5. attractive for the assigned grade with significantly lustrous fields, a sharp strike and light high-point wear defining the grade. A good representative of this classic and popular early Republican issue, very scarce in this preservation."
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| Dawn of Liberty |
CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLIC
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8R 1824NG M Ct.am.rep.
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NGC AU 50
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1824 8 reales of the Republica del Centro de America, formerly the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala that included modern day Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Los Altos (which would become the Mexican State of Chiapas). This is the first year of issue and was minted in Nueva Guatemala (Guatamala City). In my opinion, the obverse design embodies the idea of the light of freedom dawning on a newly liberated land. The reverse depicts the Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) with the legend "LIBRE CRESCA (CRESZCA) FECUNDO" -- Grow Free and Fertile.
From the January 2016 World Coins Auction, Dallas. "Conservatively graded with light silvery gray toning and much original luster. From the Nob Hill Collection".
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View Coin
| Inca Sun |
PERU 1822-57
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8R 1837CUZCO BA SOUTH PERU - INCUSE EDGE
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NGC AU 55
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1837 8 reales of the short lived Republic of South Peru that comprised part of modern day Peru and Bolivia. This is the first year of issue and was minted in Cuzco. This sunface is thought to be an Inca design, perhaps representing the sun god Inti. The complex reverse design depicts a cornucopia of gold from the Peruvian coat of arms, a crowned tower that some sources cite as the Inca fortress of Saksaywaman overlooking the city of Cuzco, a volcano (perhaps El Misti, one of Peru's most active), and a ship in the ocean. Coincidentally, Charles Darwin noted volcanic activity in the area when he arrived in Lima on the second voyage of the HMS Beagle in July of 1835. Perhaps the engraver was commemorating the visit of this important voyage of discovery.
There are three types of 8 reales minted in 1837. The rare type has raised edge lettering and the FEDERACION legend. This type is the one with incuse edge lettering and the FEDERACION legend. The third type has the CONFEDERACION legend, which would also appear on all subsequent years.
Slabbed purchase from the September 2015 Long Beach Expo World Coins Signature Auction. From the auction catalog: 'SO.PERU "FEDERACION", KM170.1. Cuzco mint, assayer, "BA". Variety with incuse edge lettering. Light golden toning with little actual wear.'
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