Philip V "Royal" Klippe 8 Reales 1726/5 Mo-D VF (Holed), Mexico City mint, KM-R47 (Rare), Calbeto-Unl., cf. Cay-9298 (not pictured), Cal-720 (Extremely Rare), Lazaro-Unl., cf. Sedwick-M31a (Rare). 16.47gm. Unknown assayer. A very rare assayer for Philip's reign in general, even more so on a "Royal" issue, and to top it off on one of the few soundly "Royal" Klippes we have been able locate--not a single example in this format from his second reign present in the Guttag, Fonrobert, or Norweb collections, and the date entirely missing from Lazaro's work. Calico notes the existence of a 1726/5 overdate, and while a small tooth on the curve of the 6 may suggest this for the present offering, we have been able to find no photos of this overdate elsewhere with which to compare. However, the fact that this is more likely than not is strongly supported by clear evidence of recutting in the king's name (over the name of his son, Louis), the recycling of 1725 dies from Louis' reign being known to have occurred during Philip's second reign (see lot 515 in Sedwick's November 2020 Treasure Auction 28). Needless to say, a coin that ticks all the right boxes, the date, mint, assayer, and king's name all present, and one that will be a centerpiece to its future owner's collection.

HID09801242017

© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website