2 reales. World Coins. Argentina. ND “818” date (ca. 1823 clandestine issue). Mendoza. “Imitation cob”. Struck on a broad flan with exceptional definition for the type, showing a full cross with well-shaped lions and castles, and complete pillars-and-waves on the reverse. Retains original luster beneath a soft iridescent tone, more pronounced on the obverse, enhancing its eye appeal. It is the finest of the 5 specimens known. Extremely rare and boasting an important pedigree, as plate coin illustrated in José Toribio Medina’s Las Monedas Obsidionales Hispano-Americanas (Santiago, 1919), specimen no. 267, pictured on page 199. Slabbed by NGC as MS 62 (Top Pop), the finest specimen in the NGC census. This rare “818” variety belongs to a short-lived and clandestine series attributed to the mint of Mendoza, Argentina, around 1823. Long misattributed to Venezuela since Medina’s time, recent research by Héctor Carlos Janson (see Janson, 2020, p. 472, nos. 10.1-10.2) reclassified these emissions based on the discovery of a single specimen bearing the Fidelidad countermark decreed on December 2, 1823. These emergency issues emerged amidst a silver shortage that forced local authorities to validate circulating coinage by countermarking all pieces appearing to be silver between December 1823 and April 1824. Janson speculates that these imitation cobs were secretly struck in Chile and smuggled into Mendoza, where local law tolerated unofficial coinage provided it was countermarked and revalidated for circulation. The few known specimens lacking countermarks, such as this piece, likely remained in rural circulation and escaped later withdrawal decrees. A fascinating relic of early Argentine monetary history and one of the most elusive types of the independence period. The single finest known example, combining exceptional preservation, sharp detail, and historic significance—a true centerpiece for the connoisseur of South American colonial and post-colonial silver coinage. NGC - MS 62 ¡¡Top Pop!!. Km. Unlisted. Janson. 10.1. Medina. 267, Plate coin. Ag. 5,92.

VIDEO

Lot description

Argentina. 2 reales. ND “818” date (ca. 1823 clandestine issue). Mendoza. (Km-Unlisted). (Janson-10.1). (Medina-267, Plate coin). Ag. 5,92 g. “Imitation cob”. Struck on a broad flan with exceptional definition for the type, showing a full cross with well-shaped lions and castles, and complete pillars-and-waves on the reverse.

Retains original luster beneath a soft iridescent tone, more pronounced on the obverse, enhancing its eye appeal. It is the finest of the 5 specimens known.

Extremely rare and boasting an important pedigree, as plate coin illustrated in José Toribio Medina’s "Las Monedas Obsidionales Hispano-Americanas" (Santiago, 1919), specimen no. 267, pictured on page 199.

Slabbed by NGC as MS 62 (Top Pop), the finest specimen in the NGC census.

This rare “818” variety belongs to a short-lived and clandestine series attributed to the mint of Mendoza, Argentina, around 1823. Long misattributed to Venezuela since Medina’s time, recent research by Héctor Carlos Janson (see Janson, 2020, p. 472, nos. 10.1-10.2) reclassified these emissions based on the discovery of a single specimen bearing the Fidelidad countermark decreed on December 2, 1823. These emergency issues emerged amidst a silver shortage that forced local authorities to validate circulating coinage by countermarking all pieces appearing to be silver between December 1823 and April 1824.

Janson speculates that these imitation cobs were secretly struck in Chile and smuggled into Mendoza, where local law tolerated unofficial coinage provided it was countermarked and revalidated for circulation. The few known specimens lacking countermarks, such as this piece, likely remained in rural circulation and escaped later withdrawal decrees.

A fascinating relic of early Argentine monetary history and one of the most elusive types of the independence period. The single finest known example, combining exceptional preservation, sharp detail, and historic significance—a true centerpiece for the connoisseur of South American colonial and post-colonial silver coinage. Est...18000,00.

Starting bid

9.000 €

No bids

Lot 366 | World Coins

Historical Background

Lot description