VENEZUELA. Guayana. 1/4 Real, 1813. Ferdinand VII. NGC AU-55. EMO-261.1 (Plate coin); KM-C40; Cal-78; Stohr-P1. Variety with Arabic and Roman "1" in date. A <strong>VERY RARE</strong> type for this denomination. On the rare occasion that one is offered in auction, they are usually corroded and barely identifiable. As such, this exceptionally well-preserved example is a unique opportunity for collectors of Venezuelas War of Independence issues. Indeed, this piece is the finest out of just four certified by NGC. The castle side displays the denomination prominently along with a clear view of the full outer legend. The lion on the opposing side remains quite clear, and the date can be made out despite a touch of peripheral weakness. Most strikingly, the surfaces are entirely wholesome and problem-free, showcasing a rich chocolate brown patina.<p><p><em>Amidst the declaration of the first Venezuelan republic in 1811, the rural provinces of Guayana and Maracaibo remained loyal to the Spanish crown. The instability of the ensuing war isolated the royalist hinterlands of the country from the major bases of Spanish control, naturally resulting in shortages of circulating coinage. Guayanas provincial governor, attempting to address the problem, issued a request dated October 26, 1813 for the local production of necessity coinage in 1/4 Real and 1/2 Real denominations. While the 1/2 Reales were minted continuously until 1817, the 1/4 real is far rarer, and only found dated 1813. Given the date of the initial request, its probable that the Cuartillo was produced for only about two months, explaining its great scarcity.</em><p><em></em><em>It should be noted that leading Venezuelan numismatists assert that this variety with a "4" that looks similar to an "A" is actually dated 1815. Given the great scarcity of the type and the near-universal crudeness of surviving examples, it is difficult to make a conclusive determination. In either case, an impressive example of the type.</em><p><em></em> <strong>To view all items from the EMO Collection, click <a href="https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots?sort=auction_date_lot_number_asc&search=EMO+Collection&limit=96&lots_range=upcoming"> here.</a></strong> From the EMO Collection.<p><p>Privately purchased from Freeman Craig.
