Owner Comments:
Costa Rica, 1 real, 1849JB, "Madonna & Child" issue, PCGS AU55. KM-66. 3.10 grams. Circle-and-dot edge ("colonial style"), lustrous and choice surfaces, the legends and tree bold but the Madonna typically slightly weak, incipient toning, nice grade for this issue. Earlier die state than sometimes seen, as die break around the Madonna and child is barely perceivable. Better than average details on tree and denomination than sometimes seen, even in higher graded examples.
A popular two-year type (1849-50) and slightly debased (0.750 fineness) - (the coin states "9 D's = dineros 9/12 = .750 fine; 12 dineros = pure silver.) In the mid-nineteenth century, Costa Rica suffered from recurring coin shortages, which the mint in San José was incapable of alleviating. One attempt was this silver one real, struck 1849-50, based on an earlier type struck 1843-45. It is lightweight compared to the colonial standard of 3.38 g. The design is unusual, featuring what is usually catalogued as an "Indian maiden," and was never repeated on any other coin of Costa Rica or its neighbors.
The issue circulated heavily, common in lower grades, but scarcer in AU grades and rare in mint state.
Mintage: Unknown
Mint: San Jose
Engraver: Juan Barth
PCGS Population: 10 graded in total: 1/10, 1/20, 1/30, 1/35, 1/40, 2/45, 2/55, 1/62
NGC Census: 40 graded in total: 1/VG, 3/F, 11/VF, 2/40, 5/45, 4/50, 1/53, 5/55, 3/58, 2/62, 2/63, 1/64
*As of 3/7/2023*