SANTO DOMINGO. Santo Domingo - Venezuela. 1/4 Real, ND (ca. 1813-20). Ferdinand VII. PCGS VF-35. KM-2. Struck over an 1813 Maracaibo bust Real of Ferdinand VII. This wholesome and very attractive survivor exhibits a bold strike, though slightly uneven, displaying lovely chocolate brown surfaces with richer coloration amongst the devices. The overstrike nearly obliterated evidence of the under coin, with portions of the beaded border on both sides. A faint outline of the "M" of the host reverse design is noticed on the obverse in the "7" of the Kings cipher and under the crown if rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise solidifying the attribution. This highly interesting example, combined with an <strong>EXTREMELY </strong><strong>RARE</strong> short-lived issue, is sure to add depth to many collections. <p><em>The seldom encountered copper coinage of Maracaibo struck during Venezuelas War for Independence was issued by order of Captain General Fernando Mijares 13 March 1813. Struck for a period of about six months, these issues were immediately met with disapproval by the local populace and were generally unaccepted by the public. These crude necessity issues were plagued by forgeries and coupled with the general dissatisfaction from the citizens were ultimately discontinued in September the same year. Research conducted by Venezuelan numismatic scholar Luis Roberto Ponte in the General Archives of the Indies in Seville revealed that a total of 4,987 pounds was exported to Santo Domingo on 15 January 1815. This piece of information gives an explanation as to why so few survivors known today. To our knowledge only about 3 pieces are known to have survived that have not been overstruck with about an additional 10 that are known as host coins for a Santo Domingo 1/4 Real.</em>
