A spectacular quality example of this first portrait 2 Reales of Colombia. In a series where a nice VF specimen can often be counted among the finest known, a choice AU coin is a triumph - and what a choice AU this is. Luster persists around all legends and devices, coexisting with extraordinary multicolored toning highlights over otherwise frosty medium gray surfaces. Both sides show subtle gold and pale blue shades over the fields along with very sharp and fully struck devices. The centering is nearly ideal on both sides, and there is not a single defect worth noting. The reverse die is cracked at X of REX and the point beneath the left column. As choice and lovely as could be imagined, this coin may be unsurpassed among surviving examples of this date. The Murias coin was called VF, though it showed the sort of sharpness PCGS would call a grade lower; it was extremely nice for that grade and brought $2,300. The Restrepo plate coin is a bit sharper than that one, but not as sharp as this one. Most examples seen tend to be well worn, as is the general rule for Carlos III 2 Reales from this mint. Advanced specialists and type collectors would be hard-pressed to ever find a finer example, and based on available evidence this appears to be the finest known example of the type. It is clearly finer than the Murias 1777-JJ 2 Reales, cataloged as "considered the finest known specimen of Charles III 2R of Colombia." This is the sole pre-1819 Colombian 2 Reales ever graded finer than EF by PCGS and the only example of this date ever graded by them. The only specimen of this issue certified by NGC graded Fine. From the Eldorado Collection of Colombian and Ecuadorian Coins.<p>From Howard Herz.
