½ Real - Charles IV


Silver (.896)	1.69 g	15.57 mm

Description

Issuer	Bolivia
King	Charles IV (Carlos IV) (1788-1808)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1791-1809
Value	½ Real
Currency	Real (1574-1825)
Composition	Silver (.896)
Weight	1.69 g
Diameter	15.57 mm
Thickness	0.9 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-04

References

Numista	N#53171
Rarity index	52%

Reverse

Crowned arms between pillars, legend around

Script: Latin

Lettering: ·HISPAN · ET IND · R · PTS · P · I ·

Unabridged legend: Hispaniarum et Indies Rex. Potosí (monogram) P. I. (initials of Mint master and assayer).

Translation: King of Spain and India. Potosí. Pedro Prudencio de Esquerrenea - ??? (see comments section)

Edge

Reeded

Comment

This coin replaced KM# 60, minted from 1789 to 1791, with similar design, but adding a few changes:
Bust is changed and placed higher (looking larger),
On obverse king's name is changed from "CAROLUS IV" to "CAROLUS IIII", possibly to make easier to understand Roman numbers
On reverse "REX" in title was shortened to "R", possibly to save space.
But these changes seem to be done gradually, during 1791.
KM# 60 coins all show "PR" initials of master and assayer, same as KM# 69, up to 1795

Is known a "transitional" coin where it shows lower bust (old) and denomination "IIII" (new), and on reverse title as "REX" (old)