1621-65 Spain 4 Reales NGC AU55 – Finest Known
Item #CC-0865 | 1621-65 Spain 4 Reales NGC AU55 – Finest Known
Mint: Spain, Possible Toledo or Seville
Assayer: N/V
Ruler/Period: King Philip IV
Grade: AU 55
For details and population on this coin from NGC, click on the serial number here: 8538168-052
Description: A very attractive and thick 4 reales struck by the Spanish in the mid-1600s. While the mint mark is not visible, this coin likely was struck at the Seville or Toledo mints. This example is tied for the finest known example for the type by NGC! The 4 reales denomination is the rarest of all denominations, so finding such an exquisite piece is quite a rarity!
Beginning in the early 16th century, the Spanish Empire emerged as the world’s dominant global power, fueled by vast silver and gold resources from the Americas. To manage this wealth, Spain established major colonial mints, starting with the Mexico City Mint in 1535, followed by others such as Lima and Potosí. Early Spanish coins were hand-struck silver cobs, including the famous 8 reales, which became the first truly global currency, circulating throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. By the late 17th and 18th centuries, Spain transitioned to milled coinage with more precise designs to combat fraud and debasement. Spanish imperial coinage not only financed wars and trade but also shaped the foundations of the modern global monetary system.
In stock
$975.00
