João Prince Regent 640 Reis 1816-B AU53 NGC, Bahia mint, KM256.1 (Rare), Prober-1122 (Very Rare), LMB-394, Bentes-338.09 (R4), Gomes-27.08 (Rare). One of the keys of the entire 640 series--the 1816 640 Reis minted at Bahia remains a type that relatively few Brazilian collectors can hope to obtain. According to our research, only two other specimens have appeared at auction in the last decade: the Santana example (Heritage Auction #3020, September 2012, Lot 23244), certified AU58 by NGC, and a shield counterstamped piece, certified MS62 by PCGS, sold by Stack's in their August 2019 ANA Sale (lot 20210). All three representatives were clearly produced using the same pair of dies, diagnosable most easily by the presence of die rust below the second A in NATA, trace amounts of die rust around the obverse crown, and a tiny die crack extending between the upper loop and bar in the G in REGENS. This fits well with the historical picture that we have of the Bahia mint, whose production of precious metal coinage stagnated in the 1810s, not to resume until the 1820s. Visually, the offering undeniably holds its own against the other, higher grade pieces we have cited, its slate-gray surfaces brightened by accenting gold tones around the devices. Despite some mild details of the undertype at the base of the obverse and reverse, nearly the whole of the host coin has been soundly obliterated during striking (though it is likely a Jose I "J" series 600 Reis), while handling and harsh signs of contact are on the whole absent. Simply put, an incredible representative worthy of the utmost bidder attention.

HID09801242017

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