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FROM THE 1715 PLATE FLEET
L 63. Lima 1711 M eight escudos, struck in high relief on a large planchet, and best centered 1711 I have ever seen! A choice uncirculated example of a 1715 Fleet Lima onza. NGC AU 53 1715 Fleet.
Before the salvage of the 1715 Fleet all Lima onzas 1708-1714 were rare or extremely rare. Happily, 50 years of salvage on the 1715 wrecksites has changed that and made most of these dates collectible. The 1711 Lima 8 escudos was an early favorite of collectors and also jewelers--the lucky 7-11 date was very popular. Many 1711's went into jewelry in the 1960's and 1970's and are now, unfortuntely, re-appearing in the numismatic marketplace without mention of their jewelry use. NGC has been diligent in spotting and refusing to grade ex-jewelry coins. Collectors who are not experts in examining gold cobs are well advised to buy certified 1711 onzas.
In 1710 the Lima mint began to add a second date in the legend on the pillar side. For some reason this change was abruptly suspended in 1711 and no Lima 1711's show a second date. Recent speculation has suggested the innovation was suspended because full approval had no yet been received from Philip V in Spain. But the War of Spanish Succession was still very much undecided and communication with Philip V was unreliable. No documentary evidence suggests Philip V was deeply concerned whether Lima escudos showed a second date. Most likely, some local concern caused the Lima viceroy Manuel de Oms to order assayer Melgarejo (M) to revert to the traditional style of single date dies. The quality of this Fleet 8 escudos speaks for itself. It is almost perfectly centered and beautifully struck in high relief on a big planchet. Very few 1711 are well centered and many have substantial doubling, including broken crosses and doubled pillars. The surfaces here are lustrous and pristine with absolutely no trace of circulation or mishandling. NGC has decided to call it an AU 53 on its first visit to the grading services, but it is a mint state coin.
Available. Price on request.
terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293
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