COLOMBIA. 1/4 Real, ND (ca. 1783-84). Popayan Mint. Charles III. NGC AU-58.
EMO-695 (Plate coin); KM-4 (as Philippines); Cal-160 (as Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino). Anepigraphic type. Variety with wide castle and lion's tail pointing out. Well-struck on a chunky compact planchet, this minimalistic Cuartillo delivers bold detail and shimmering fields beneath mottled warm-gray toning. Exhibiting a hint of die rust and a minor edge split, this piece is free of any post-mint distractions and serves as a charming exemplar of this SCARCE type. Commonly attributed to Bogota (Santa Fe de Nuevo Reino) due to similarities in the castle punch, Emilio Ortiz instead asserts that this variety with the lion's tail facing out was in fact struck in Popayan during the brief period of 1783-1784. He reaches this determination using a decree by the visitador Juan Antonio Mon y Velarde that permits the mintage of 1/4 Reales in Popayan in order to address shortages. He also notes that the Santa Fe mint ceased production of the denomination during that short time span, which seems to corroborate the claim. For more information see Spanish Colonial and Republican Cuartillos of the New World, appendix D5.
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From the EMO Collection.

Estimate: $300.00- $500.00