EAST ASIA. East Asia - Bolivia. 4 Reales, 1774-PTS JR. San Luis Potosi Mint. Charles III. PCGS Genuine--Chopmark, EF Details Gold Shield.KM-54 (for basic type); Chopmark News-Vol 15, issue 3 pg. 65 (for countermark only). Cross with pellets in all four quadrants within circular boarder applied to the obverse of a 1774-PTS JR Bolivia 4 Reales of Charles III. Countermark deeply impressed with clear definition of the details. Light scratches on the bust mentioned for accuracy. Otherwise with attractive russet tone highlight by nice slate patina in the peripherals and amongst the devices. There are several possible attributions for this countermark/chopmark to East Asia with no solid evidence that proves and of them. The most likely attribution is to Malacca as seen in the most recent Daniel Frank Sedwick Treasure auction 26 November 1-2, 2019 Lot # 581 a 1730-MoF Mexico Cob 8 Reales with an identical marking which came from a hoard from this region. Another possible attribution is to Indonesia on the island of Sumatra, but that does not follow the style normally associated with the island. The third and least likely is to pre-Meiji Japan where this mark has the meaning for "Rice", however bust coinage would not have circulated during this time period. With no solid evidence; the attribution is uncertain, what is certain is that this mark does appear in the same place on bust coinage regardless of mint or denomination.From the Kyle Ponterio Collection.
