GUATEMALA. Guatemala - Bolivia. 8 Reales, ND (1840). PCGS Genuine--Filed Rims, EF Details Gold Shield; Countermark: AU Details.KM-not listed; Jovel-Type VI countermark (host not listed). Type III Countermark (reverse die only), Five-pointed star superimposed on bow, arrow and quiver. Issued by decree of 31 October 1840, commencing 20 November 1840 until some time in December when hinged dies were prepared for easier application. strongEXTREMELY/strongstrong /strongstrongRARE/strong host coin for this countermark type. Countermark applied to the reverse of a 1767-P V/Y Bolivia Cob 8 Reales of Charles III. Evidence of edge filing from long ago now toned over blending quite nicely accounts for the details designation. Despite its shortcoming an attractively toned example displaying rich old envelope patina highlighted by an iridescent sheen. An interesting variety destined for a comprehensive collection. According to the scholarly work "Necessity Coinage of Guatemala Seventeenth to Nineteenth Centuries" by J. Roberto Jovel when the above mentioned decree was issued it specifically stated that milled coins of Peru were to receive an additional countermark on the reverse. There was no mention of cob issues and in fact ignored a request for clarification from the Director of the Mint Benito Munoz sent to the Treasury Minister 11 November. The reply came directly from the President and was explicit authorization to begin the countermarking process with the additional punch on the 20th of the same month. The present example not only shows that the countermarking of cobs continued after the previous decree had expired, but is in fact an error using the incorrect punch. We are unaware of any cob issues that contain both an obverse and reverse stamp from this transitional countermark.From the Kyle Ponterio Collection.Ex: Richard Stuart Collection.
