Rosenman-p.44 (plate coin & Front cover coin); Stohr-unlisted; KM-unlisted. <strong>EXTREMELY RARE</strong> type in any grade. This specimen bears the fictitious date "180" and is the fourth of eight different specimens catalogued in Rosenmans book, "Imitation Cobs of Venezuela and Colombia." He notes, "4 Reales is almost nonexistent among necessity coins mainly because it has proven too large a coin to be struck given the limited technical means available to the improvised mints." Interesting to note that the 4 Reales of this type was not published in any of the Brilliant author Tomas Stohrs various books on Venezuelan numismatics. The most recent record we could find of this type was in the UBS auction # 70 March 21, 2007; Lot # 300 where it hammered down at 1,900 CHF(approximately $1,564-). Which also happened to share the same obverse die, the reverse on the other hand was so far gone that there was not enough to make a comparison. The present example is by and far superior to the UBS piece. Well struck with good definition of the design features despite the crude manufacture which is normal for this series. Light attractive golden tone throughout. With old collectors ticket which notes "Barinas or Caracas 4R 180 (29mm, 1.2 in) I have seen others but nothing like this high a grade nor definition of clipped edges etc an outstanding example". Truly a spectacular example sure to see spirited bidding. PCGS AU-50 Secure Holder. Ex: L. Hudson.
