No pellet between JV. An exceptional specimen of this rare issue, historically important as the first to depict Carlos III and desirable as a high grade example of the "rat nose" type. The elusiveness of this date adds to its importance. None was found in Karon, Eliasberg, Caballero de las Yndias, Norweb, Ortiz, or Numismatica Ars Classicas Auction 22. The Huntington coin was a bit worn, bringing a hammer price of 3800 pounds, and the Isabel Trastamara coin was in similar grade. This piece is struck from the same dies as those two but is better preserved, with intact luster over choice frosty light yellow gold surfaces. The strike and centering are ideal, and no notable flaws are seen on either side. A reverse die crack connects OQ to FE on the left side. An exceptionally nice piece, one that undoubtedly ranks among the very finest extant. From the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins.<p>From Mike Dunigan, May 1991.
