Diva Faustina. Denarius. 146 AD. Rome. (Ric-361a). (Bmc-417). Anv.: DIVA FAVSTINA. Diademed and draped bust of Diva Faustina Senior to right. Rev.: AVGVSTA. Ceres standing front, head to left, raising her right hand and holding long torch in her left. . 2,90 g. Slightly cleaned. Choice VF/VF. Est...75,00.
Marcus Aurelius. Denarius. 177-178 AD. Rome. (Ric-III 384). (Bmcre-768). (Rsc-953). Anv.: M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG, laureate head to right. Rev.: TR P XXXII IMP VIIII COS III P P, Mars standing to right, holding inverted spear and resting on shield. . 2,62 g. Ex Noonans (18/07/2023), lot 1465. Choice VF/Almost VF. Est...90,00.
8 reales Rincon!! - AU details
Philip II (1556-1598). 8 reales. ND (1568-1570). Lima. R (Alonso Rincon). (Cal-651). (Calbetó-243 var). (Cy-3911). Anv.: PHILIPVS : II : D : HISPA. Rev.: NIARVM · ET · INDIARVM · REX. . 25,51 g.
Assayer R to the left of the shield; on the reverse, above the waves, the denomination 8 in Arabic numeral, and in the center, the inscription PL/VSV/LT. Legends are complete, though somewhat weak in certain areas. An extraordinary obverse, considered among the finest known. Slight double striking and hairlines on the reverse. Fine transversal crack, more pronounced on the reverse, with some excess of metal. Extremely rare. Slabbed by NGC as AU Details, Obv. Tooled.
These coins are regarded as the first South American “dollars.” They were minted without explicit authorization and exhibit notable technical deficiencies — such as weight below the legal standard, irregularities in the die work (including double striking and cracks), the use of dies with spelling errors, and rudimentary engraving — which led to the rapid suspension of their production. They belong to the earliest 8 reales issues in the Americas, produced by assayers surnamed Rincón at the mints of Mexico (1538), Lima (1568–69), and Potosí (1575). Only three specimens are known from Mexico; those from Potosí number only a few dozen, while Lima pieces, such as this example, have fewer than ten registered specimens, making them iconic in colonial numismatics.
The Lima Mint was authorized by Philip II by Royal Order on August 21, 1565, although actual operations did not commence until September 1568. Under the direction of assayer Alonso Rincón — son of the renowned Rincón of Mexico — the mint was established in the local government building, which also served as a jail. On September 2, 1568, the die bearing the initial "R" was delivered, and the first silver deposits date from the 6th. In just over a year, more than 20,000 marks of silver were recorded, originating both from the Royal Treasury and a small group of local merchants known as "silver banks."
The mint’s activity was intense but brief and troubled. By late 1569, following an official inspection, various irregularities were detected, including the alleged misappropriation of seigniorage — the fiscal profit from minting — as well as the production of 8 reales coins not stipulated in the original regulations. Treasurer Lope de Mendaña was accused and convicted but later acquitted with a symbolic fine. Viceroy Francisco de Toledo later confirmed that, although not included in the initial ordinances, the mint was indeed authorized to produce duros (8 reales coins). After the scandal, operations ceased on October 11, 1569, and partially transferred to La Plata.
According to several specialists, including Paoletti, the striking of these exceedingly rare duros from Lima dates between 1568 and 1570. This specimen most likely corresponds to the brief and turbulent initial period, between September 1568 and October 1569. It is a piece of immense rarity, with fewer than ten specimens held in public and private collections, although no exact census has been published. Est...35000,00.
Marcus Aurelius. Unit. 176-177 AD. Rome. (Ric-1195). (Bmc-191). Anv.: M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM TR P XXXI. Laureate head right. Rev.: FELICITATI AVG / P•P; around, IMP VIII COS III; in exergue, COS III Ship with three rowers to left; on the stern, Neptune standing right, placing his right foot on rock, holding trident with his left hand and aplustre in his right. . 11,07 g. Cleaned rust. Almost VF/Choice F. Est...100,00.
Septimius Severus. Denarius. 196-197 d.C. Rome. (Ric-IV 76). (Bmcre-157). (Rsc-51). Anv.: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head to right. Rev.: ARAB ADIAB COS II P P, Victory, winged and draped, advancing to left, holding wreath and trophy. . 2,90 g. Slight patina. Scarce. Ex Noonans (18/07/2023), lot 1465. VF. Est...90,00.
Septimius Severus. Denarius. 207 AD. Rome. (Ric-211). (Rsc-489). Anv.: SEVERVS PIVS AVG. Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev.: P M TR P XV COS III P P. Victory standing front, head to right, placing her left foot on helmet and inscribing shield set on palm tree. . 3,03 g. Almost VF. Est...60,00.
Macrian. Antoninianus. 260-261 AD. Samosata. (Ric-13). (Rsc-13A). Anv.: IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust to right. Rev.: SPES PVBLICA, Spes advancing to left, holding flower in her right hand and raising skirt with her left; star in left field. . 3,37 g. Surface corrosion removed. F. Est...30,00.
Macrinus. Seleucis and Pieria. Tetradrachm. 217-218 AD. Antioch. (Prieur-1190). Anv.: ΑΥΤ•Κ•Μ•ΟΠ•CЄ ΜΑΚΡΙΝΟC CЄΒ. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Macrinus to right. Rev.: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ•ЄΞ•ΥΠΑ ΤΟ• Eagle with spread wings standing facing on thunderbolt, head to right and holding wreath in beak. . 13,33 g. Almost VF/VF. Est...120,00.
Diadumenian. Unit. 217 AD. Rome. (Ric-215 (Macrinus) var.). (Bmcre-149 note (Macrinus) var.). Anv.: M OPEL DIADVMENIANVS CAES. Bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev.: PRINC IVVENTVTIS. Diadumenian standing facing, head left, holding baton and sceptre; aquila and signa to right, SC in fields. . 10,90 g. Variant for S-C in fields. Very rare. Almost VF. Est...220,00.
Rare date - VF 35
Philip II (1556-1598). 2 escudos. 1594. Sevilla. B. (Cal-850). (Tauler-49). . 6,75 g. Mint, denomination, and assayer to the left of the shield; date vertically positioned to the right, with the last digit clearly visible. This is an extremely rare piece: it is the third known example of this date that we have been able to document at auction and the second of this denomination. Slabbed by NGC as VF 35, although the date does not appear on the holder.
For reasons still unknown, the production of precious metals at the Seville mint in 1594 was abnormally low. In silver, only 3,799 kg were struck that year—a figure significantly below the output of the immediately preceding and following years: 113,339 kg in 1591, 96,410 kg in 1592, 101,223 kg in 1593, 193,450 kg in 1595, and 98,176 kg in 1596.
Gold coinage also experienced a sharp drop in 1594: merely 754 kg were minted, compared to 4,083 kg in 1591, 2,645 kg in 1592, 2,940 kg in 1593, 8,132 kg in 1595, and 2,476 kg in 1596.
Gold coins from Seville dated 1594 are exceedingly rare. Tauler only lists a single 2 escudos piece sold by Heritage Auctions in June 2007 (Tauler 049) and a 4 escudos example auctioned by Áureo & Calicó in their 2017 Selección sale. Est...2500,00.
Julia Mamaea. Sestertius. 232 AD. Rome. (Ric-668). Anv.: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA. Diademed and draped bust of Julia Mamaea to right. Rev.: FECVNDITAS AVGVSTAE / S - C. Fecunditas standing front, head to left, holding cornucopiae in her left hand and extending her right hand toward child standing right and raising arms toward her. . 19,71 g. Almost VF. Est...60,00.
Gordian III. Antoninianus. 240 AD. Rome. (Ric-IV 37). (Rsc-210). Anv.: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right. Rev.: P M TR P II COS P P, emperor standing to left, sacrificing out of patera over lit altar and holding wand. . 4,35 g. Choice VF/Almost XF. Est...50,00.
"Ingenio de la Tijera" - MS 63
Philip II (1556-1598). 4 escudos. 1591. Madrid. C. (Cal-882). (Tauler-4). (Fried-159). . 13,57 g. Type "Ingenio de la Tijera". Only 3 known specimens. Very fine style mintage with a lovely color and luster. Of the highest rarity and great interesting for the Spanish numismatic history. Superb specimen. Slabbed by NGC as MS 63. Only 2 other specimens are known; one of them auctioned by Daniel F. Sedwick 33 (03/05/2023), lot 27; and the other by Tauler&Fau 128 (07/06/2023), lot 145.
It would be a delight for any collector and the last opportunity to acquire a wonderful specimen that would be a highlight in any coin collection and we are sure we will not see it offered at auction for many years again.
One of Philip II's many reforms in the 1500s was to move the Spanish Court from its traditional royal seat in Toledo to the city of Madrid, where it remains today. That included creating a new mint in Madrid where none had existed before. Naturally, Philip was eager to start minting coins there, but only if they could be made of superior quality. Perfect, machine-struck coinage was already being struck at the Segovia mint starting in 1586 using what was known as “Real Ingenio" (“royal machine”). In Madrid, however, the king opted for a different minting experiment known as "Ingenio de la Tijera" (“shearing machine”), which had been developed by the royal blacksmith and knifemaker Miguel de la Cerda, on recommendation by the Third Count of Chinchón, Diego Fernández de Cabrera y Bobadilla.
Miguel de la Cerda’s invention consisted of a special method of pouring silver or gold into perfectly round solid cylinders matching the diameter of the coin dies, with each planchet hand-cut from one end with special scissors, so that no further trimming or flattening was needed. This was meant to save time and resources, while producing attractive coins with full and even details, a far cry from what was eventually produced in earnest at the Madrid Mint starting in 1614. The experiment was first tried at the Segovia and Toledo Mints in 1589-91, but since Madrid was the preferred destination, silver and gold were brought from Toledo to Madrid to carry out the experiment there as well in 1591. Since there was no mint, the workshop of the famous but recently deceased sculptor, engraver and medallist for the king, Jacome Trezzo (also known as “Jacometrezo”) was chosen for the striking in Madrid. Ultimately, however, it was not possible to continue to strike the larger-denomination coins due to lower river current to run the water mills. The highest denomination—and rarest—was the 4 escudos, as it seems no 8 escudos were even attempted, although the silver 8 reales (Cal-660) is known, the only extant example of which hammered in March 2021 by Aureo & Calicó for about $21,500.
For the next few years, de la Cerda was secretive about his invention, and little or nothing is recorded until a second experiment at the Seville Mint in 1597. The next year, 1598, de la Cerda died and passed the rights for his invention to his trustee, Dr. Baltasar Vellorino, who asserted that he was the one who had improved de la Cerda’s design to make 4’s and 8’s possible. Vellorino quickly pushed for a new agreement with King Philip II to implement the invention in his own name and receive 50 percent of the profits for twelve years; but the caveat was that invention would be used only at New World mints, starting with Mexico City. One month later, the King died and the crown passed to his son, Philip III.
The equipment was not shipped to Mexico until 1602, well into the reign of Philip III. Vellorino himself left for Mexico in 1603 and the machinery was all in place by the end of 1606, according to an early 1607 document. Back in Spain, a similar experiment by Segovia’s famous tallador Diego de Astor took place in 1610 at the Segovia Mint and in 1611 in Madrid (again at the studios of Jacome Trezzo). The experiment lost favor, however, and it was claimed in court that the new method was slower than promised and would effectively cause raw silver and gold to bypass Spain and go straight to Asia (Philippines, China and Japan) without benefit to mainland Spain. Researcher Jorge Proctor points out that these dates line up more or less with the first appearance of Mexican Royals (galanos), which were perfectly round and match what the new equipment would have produced. Apart from these galanos, there is no evidence this invention was ever fully implemented in the New World.
The “Ingenio de la Tijera” coins from Spain are therefore very important to the evolution of the long numismatic history of Spain and its American colonies.
For reference, two Spanish journal articles summarize and discuss the documentation:
“Dos experimentos acuñadores en Madrid: las pruebas de Miguel de la Cerda y Diego de Astor en las casas de Jacome Trezzo,” by Rosa Romero Molina, in issue 233 (July-December 1993) of NVMISMA (Sociedad Iberoamericana de Estudios Numismáticos)
“El Proyecto de implantación del Ingenio de la Tijera en las cecas de los Reinos de las Indias,” by Pedro Damián Cano Borrego, in issue 9 (2022) of Revista Numismática Hécate. Est...100000,00.
Philip I. Seleucis and Pieria. Tetradrachm. 245 AD. Antioch. (Prieur-339). (McAlee-895). Anv.: ΑΥΤΟΚ Κ Μ ΙΟΥΛ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄB, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right, seen from behind. Rev.: ΔHMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC ΥΠΑΤΟ A, Eagle standing facing on palm frond, head to left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; SC in exergue . . 11,47 g. Choice VF. Est...100,00.
Philip I. Seleucis and Pieria. Tetradrachm. 244-249 AD. Antioch. (Prieur-426). (McAlee-941b). Anv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦΙΛΙΠΠOC CЄB. Laureate and cuirassed bust left. Rev.: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ OYCIAC YΠA TO Δ / ANTIOXIA S C. Eagle standing right, with spread wings and wreath in beak. . 10,84 g. Almost XF. Est...120,00.
Philip I. Seleucis and Pieria. Tetradrachm. 244-249 AD. Antioch. (Prieur-445). (McAlee-934). Anv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟC CЄB. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Philip I to right. Rev.: ΔΗΜΑΡX ЄΞOYCIAC ΥΠΑ ΤO Δ / ANTIOXIA / S C. Eagle with spread wings standing right. . 12,15 g. XF/Almost XF. Est...120,00.
Otacilia Severa. Antoninianus. 248 AD. Rome. Ludi Saeculares issue, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rome. (Ric-116b). (Seaby-63). Anv.: OTACIL SEVERA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, set on crescent. Rev.: SAECVLARES AVGG, hippopotamus advancing right; IIII in exergue. . 4,00 g. Scarce. VF. Est...60,00.
Philip II. Seleucis and Pieria. Tetradrachm. 248 AD. Antioch. (Prieur-473). (McAlee-1043). Anv.: AYTOK K M IOYΛI ΦIΛIΠΠOC CЄB, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right. Rev.: ΔHMAPX ЄΞOYCIAC YΠA TO Δ, eagle standing to left, holding wreath in beak, with wings spread; ANTIOXIA SC in exergue . . 13,54 g. Choice VF/Almost XF. Est...120,00.
Volusian. Sestertius. 251-253 AD. Rome. (Ric-IV 251a). Anv.: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right. Rev.: FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing facing, head to left, holding caduceus and transverse sceptre, leaning on column; S-C across fields. . 14,09 g. VF. Est...100,00.
Valerian I. Antoninianus. 255-256 AD. Samosata. (Ric-V 1. 287). (MIR-1685e). (Rsc-189). Anv.: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: RESTITVT ORIENTIS. The Orient standing right, presenting wreath to Valerian standing left, holding spear. . 2,80 g. Choice VF. Est...45,00.
Valerian I. Antoninianus. 255-256 AD. Samosata. (Ric-V 1 293). (Rsc-276). Anv.: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust to right. Rev.: VIRTVS AVGG, the two Emperors standing facing each other, one holding spear and globe, the other holding Victory and reversed spear. . 3,02 g. VF/Almost VF. Est...30,00.
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