One of the most unique treasue coins.
The Star of Lima
The Lima mint had closed in 1588. For a brief period in 1659 and 1660 the mint reopened, but without Royal permission. Once King Philip IV found about it, he ordered its immediate closure. The mint remained closed until 1683 with coinage resuming in 1684.
The new viceroy, Alva de Liste, found there was a very serious and chronic problem due to the shortage of circulating currency. Potosi's annual 8 million in silver pesos went almost completely to Spain, and that mint was already overworked. There was not enough currency for local merchants to do business or pay taxes. (Alva first partitioned the king to reopen the Lima mint in 1658. Having not heard from the king he reopend the mint regardless. Sited from Eduaedo Dargent Chamot - Cuadernos De Historia 1988.)
The mint re-opened in January 1659 and there was a substantial silver coinage that year. The records say about 2.1 million silver pesos. Mostly 8, but also 4 and 2 and 1, Reales were struck ( as you would expect, as it was to be circulating currency, not bullion for Spain ). There are quiet a few design varieties on the 1659 obverse.
This coin lets us see the word "LIMA" spelled out, not abbreviated as LM. Star with 8 points above LIMA. Dot between 8 and assayer's initial to the right of the pillars. Assayer V is believed to be Francisco Villegas, not Juan de Villages who struck silver coinage when the mint reopened in 1684. The total of known pieces including all varieties is about 40 coins, only this one has been offered for sale on this variety and quality from the wreck of La Consolacion, the rest are or land finds or mostly from the Jupiter wreck.
PICTURE of two coins side by side- Coin Type: 8 Reales "Star of Lima", (Very Rare) recovered from the wreck of La Consolacion that sunk in 1681. Denomination: 8 Reales (piece of eight) / Code: PLK-9000
Details: 21 grams and about 35mm Coin Date: 1659 Assayer: V ( Villegas) Mint: Lima
Augi Garcia
authorizied to publish 7-13-09 by:
Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC
For more in formation go to: http://www.coincommunity.com/articles/star-ima-estrella-de-lima-numismatic-rarity.asp
All coins are from the Jupiter Shipwreck.
Dating from 1652-1660 and were minted at the following places; Potosi, (now Bolivia) - Lima, Peru - Santa Fé De Bogotá - Columbia and Mexico |
Clothing
