The Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo has a great number of numismatic treasures, including today’s preview coin, a rare Philip II 4 Reales from the very beginning of Spanish colonial coinage for Peru. Lima, sometimes considered the most aristocratic colonial capital, was the site of a new mint authorized in 1565, producing the first series of coinage in 1568. The mint in Lima operated sporadically, with sometimes decades in between mintages.
The Pillar side design (as with most Spanish Colonial issues of the time) depicts the famous “Pillars of Hercules” which marked the Strait of Gibraltar separating the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. According to Greek mythology these served as a barrier to the outer – and then unknown — sea, and were inscribed “Non plus ultra” or ‘nothing further beyond.’ These Pillars were adopted by Carlos I as the supporters for his coat of arms, but with a modified motto of “Plus Ultra” or ‘further beyond.’ This was an encouragement to go past the defined borders of the world, and to establish the gateway to a new Spanish controlled empire beyond the Pillars. The actual design on this coin shows two pillars surmounted by crowns in the center of the coin, with text stretching across; “PL – VS V – LT(RA)” (which is one form of shorthand for the motto). The large numeral 4 below the motto represents the denomination of 4 Reales. The entire central design is bordered by a beaded circle, with the outer legend just beyond. The outer legend of “: NIARVM . ET INDIARUM . REX.” Read More
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By Chris Chatigny, Numismatist & Cataloger