ARGENTINA. La Rioja. 8 Escudos Obverse Die Trial Struck in Silver, ND (1842). NGC AU-58.KM-unlisted; CJ-10.2; Ferrari-pg 21/2 (for type); cf.CF-RJA44 (for type). An <strong>EXTREMELY RARE</strong> and possibly <strong>UNIQUE</strong> uniface trial struck for the already rare 1842 La Rioja 8 Escudos featuring the bust of Juan Manuel de Rosas. Minted upon the order of the new governor of La Rioja, Colonel Hipolito Tello, following the rebellion of the province along with the rest of the "Coalition of the North" against the province of Buenos Aires where de Rosas had his seat of power. The striking of this new series of Rosas coinage is a clear use of coinage as propaganda to show that the status quo had returned after a period of insurrection. The bust is based off of the earlier 1836 Rosas type 8 Escudos which in turn was modeled after an 1835 miniature portrait by Fernando Garcia del Molino. Well struck as would be expected with nicer detail to the hair and sideburns than is seen on the eventual gold pieces. A tiny as-made planchet flaw in front of the bust is noted only for accuracy. Handsomely toned with some gunmetal blue splashes on most of the obverse with original luster. No adverse marks or handling wear. An opportunity to attain such a piece comes along essentially once in a lifetime and will surely enter a collection of the utmost depth and sophistication.NGC AU-58.
