4 Reales - Louis I 1725-1727 front 4 Reales - Louis I 1725-1727 back
4 Reales - Louis I 1725-1727 photo
© Aureo & Calicó S.L., subastas numismáticas

4 Reales - Louis I

 
Silver (.917) 13.5337 g 25 mm
Description
Issuer
Bolivia
King
Louis I (1724)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1725-1727
Value
4 Reales
Currency
Real (1574-1825)
Composition
Silver (.917)
Weight
13.5337 g
Diameter
25 mm
Shape
Cob
Technique
Hammered (cob)
Orientation
Variable alignment ↺
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#351327
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

Two columns over waves

Dos columnas sobre olas

Script: Latin

Lettering:
P 4 Y
PLV SVL TRA
Y 726 P

Unabridged legend:
Potosí 4 Reales Diego de Ybarbourou
PLVS VLTRA
Diego de Ybarbourou 1726 Potosí

Translation:
Potosi 4 Reales Diego de Ybarbourou
PLVS VLTRA (=Further Beyond)
Diego de Ybarbourou 1726 Potosi

Potosí 2 Reales
Plus Ultra (=Más allá)
Diego de Ybarbourou 1726

Engraver: Diego de Ybarbouru

Edge

Smooth, irregular.

Liso, irregular

Comment

NOTE: This coin was authorized by King Louis I, but he died very soon; his reign only lasted 6 1/2 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, to honor his memory.

NOTA: Esta moneda fue autorizada por el rey Luis I, pero falleció muy pronto; su reinado sólo duró seis meses y medio, debido a su muerte por viruela. Su padre, Felipe V, que había abdicado a favor de Luis, retomó el reinado, a la muerte de Luis.
Debido a las comunicaciones lentas de la época, la emisión de 1725 se realizó con el nombre de Luis, así como también los dos siguientes años, que se continuó con el mismo diseño para honrar su memoria.

Interesting fact

The 4 Reales coin from Bolivia, minted between 1725 and 1727 during the reign of Louis I, has an interesting feature. Despite being made of silver (.917), it was designed with a unique "tree trunk" shape, which sets it apart from other coins of its time. This distinctive shape was likely used to make the coin more easily identifiable and harder to counterfeit.