João V gold 6400 Reis (Peça) 1729-B UNC (Altered Surface), Bahia mint, cf. KM137 (for shield type, date unlisted), Prober-Unl., LMB-94A (three examples known). Second Shield type. An incredible rarity that has only recently become publicly recognized and since featured on the 16th edition cover of Livro das Moedas do Brasil where only 3 Known examples are noted. The semi-matte surfaces encountered in all known specimens corroborate the reportedly salvaging from an unknown shipwreck, a matter supported in this case by the half-melted planchette, a result from fire damage likely from a ship that sunk in flames. Despite the hundreds of years under the sea and the noteworthy damage seen in this present offering, it shows virtually free of wear surfaces with a detailed shield and fully-preserved bust, date and mintmark. Certainly a more attainable representative of this extremely rare mint/date combination which we sold in our 3093 sale (October 2021, Lot 30039) for $72,000. HID09801242017 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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