EL SALVADOR. El Salvador - Guatemala. Partial Countermark Denomination Set (4 Pieces), ND (1862-63). Average Grade: VERY FINE.
According the Krause (SCWC) catalog, these countermarks were issued between late 1862 to early 1863. Type IV Countermark, "R" (Rehabilitado) within circular beaded boarder of 21 beads. All denominations from this series have the countermark applied in the same location, at the base of Carrera's bust. A neat series worthy of further in depth research from the specialist. 1) 4 Reales. KM-96. Countermarked on a 1860-R Guatemala 4 Reales, denominated "CUARTO RLES". A SCARCE denomination for this series. Cleaned with some light tasteful tooling behind the bust and on the reverse. Countermark slightly uneven VERY FINE, host coin FINE. 2) 2 Reales. KM-92. Countermarked on a 1860-R Guatemala 2 Reales, denominated "DOS Rs". Richly toned and attractive. Countermark deeply applied and well defined. Countermark EXTREMELY FINE, host coin VERY FINE. 3) Real. KM-88. Countermarked on a 1859-R Guatemala Real, denominated "UN REAL". Light attractive mottled patina. Countermark unevenly applied. Countermark VERY FINE, host coin EXTREMELY FINE. 4) 1/2 Real. KM-84. Countermarked on a 1862-R Guatemala 1/2 Real, denominated "MED. RL". A RARE denomination for this series that seldom appears on the market. Cleaned long ago now lightly toned with attractive mottled slate patina. Countermark VERY FINE, host coin VERY FINE. The time period in which these countermarks were issued was filled with strife and turmoil. To circumvent the forgeries of current Guatemalan coins then in circulation, they were inspected by local officials and if found to be of correct weight and fineness were countermarked with the "R" within beaded boarder. The Salvadorian Government under President Gerardo Barrios Espinosa (12 March 1859 to 26 October 1863) was the only Central American state that remained loyal to the federation and was under continuous threat of invasion from neighboring Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala. President Barrios fled El Salvador to Nicaragua in 1863 where he was eventually captured and extradited back to El Salvador. He was tried 28 August 1863 and executed the next day. He is considered a national hero and his name is honored by the naming of national institutions, two major cities and his life is taught in school.
Ex: Richard Stuart Collection.
Estimate: $1000.00- $1500.00