½ Real - Louis I 1725-1727 front ½ Real - Louis I 1725-1727 back
½ Real - Louis I 1725-1727 photo
© Heritage Auctions

½ Real - Louis I

 
Silver (.917) 1.6921 g -
Description
Issuer
Bolivia
King
Louis I (1724)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1725-1727
Value
½ Real
Currency
Real (1574-1825)
Composition
Silver (.917)
Weight
1.6921 g
Shape
Cob
Orientation
Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#82137
Rarity index
93%

Reverse

Louis I monogram, date below

Monograma de Luis I, fecha abajo

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LOUIS I (as monogram)
1725

Unabridged legend:
LOUIS
1725

Translation:
Louis I
1725

Engraver: Diego de Ybarbourou

Edge

Smooth, irregular

Liso, irregular.

Comment

NOTE: This coin was authorized by King Louis I, but he died very soon; his reign only lasted six and a half months, due to his death by smallpox. His father, Phillip V who had resigned on Louis favor, resumed reign after Louis' death.
Due to slow communications at the time, 1725 coins were minted showing Louis name, and also on the following years 1726 & 1727, to honor his memory.

NOTA: Esta moneda fué autorizada por el rey Luis I, pero él falleció muy pronto, su reinado sólo duró seis meses y medio, debido a su muerte por la viruela. Su padre, Felipe V, quién había abdicado en favor de su hijo, retomó el reinado luego de la muerte de Luis.
Debido a las lentas comunicaciones en la época, las monedas de 1725 fueron acuñadas a nombre de Luis, y también l ofueron las de 1726 y 1727, como homenaje a su memoria.

Interesting fact

The ½ Real coin from Bolivia, issued during the reign of Louis I (1725-1727), has an interesting feature. Despite being made of silver (.917), it weighs only 1.6921 grams, which is relatively light for a coin of its size and material. This is likely due to the coin's small diameter of 13.5 mm and thin minting, which resulted in a lower weight than other coins of similar composition.