Sedwick Auction 40 Exceeds $5.1 Million with Record Results Across Specialized Collections

9 Nov

Sedwick & Associates’ Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40 concluded November 7 with more than $5.1 million in sales, a new auction total record for the firm.

Over two and a half days, bidders participated at Sedwick’s Central Florida office, online and by telephone. Many lots attracted multiple competing bidders, with the firm reporting continued growth in participation.

The Chilean and Colombian collections delivered outstanding results, including record prices in several areas and strong demand across gold, colonial and republican silver, patterns and paper money. The Special Collection of Odd Shaped Mexican Cobs also attracted spirited competition, with numerous pieces substantially exceeding their estimates.

Leading results included $231,800 for the Mexico City 1714 J Royal 8 escudos and $170,800 for the Mexico City 1732 F gold 4 escudos. The Santiago 1758 J gold 2 escudos and a 684 gram Atocha gold finger bar each realized $122,000. Colombia’s Bogotá 1753 gold cob 8 escudos brought $97,600, while the La Serena countermarked 4 reales achieved $48,800.

“The Bogotá 1753 8 escudos illustrates the attention we give to important consignments,” said Daniel Frank Sedwick. “We traced its documented history back to 1936 and established its appearances in several major references. That research allowed us to present collectors with a fuller understanding of the coin’s significance.”

Research, pedigrees, detailed photography and specialist cataloging are central to Sedwick’s approach. Combined with an established international clientele and participation in person, online and by telephone, these services connect specialized material with collectors who understand its importance.

For owners considering the sale of individual rarities or entire collections, Auction 40’s results demonstrate the value of knowledgeable representation and focused international exposure. The firm welcomes inquiries from prospective consignors and appreciates the continued confidence of clients who return to its auctions.

Auction 41 is scheduled for April 28 to 30, 2027, following the Winter Park Coin Show at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Winter Park, Florida. The consignment deadline is February 26, 2027. Prospective consignors are encouraged to contact Sedwick & Associates early to discuss their material and arrange an evaluation.

Auction and consignment inquiries:
Sedwick & Associates, LLC
office@sedwickcoins.com | 407 975 3325
sedwickcoins.com

Auction 40: Selected Highlights

LotDescriptionPrice realized*
21Mexico City, 1714 J Royal 8 escudos, Philip V, NGC MS 65, ex 1715 Fleet$231,800*
22Mexico City, 1714 J gold cob 8 escudos, date on obverse, NGC MS 62, ex 1715 Fleet$36,600*
37Lima, 1709 M gold cob 4 escudos, NGC MS 63, ex 1715 Fleet$31,720*
38Cuzco, 1698 M gold cob 2 escudos, NGC MS 62, ex 1715 Fleet$24,400*
39Bogotá, 1753 gold cob 8 escudos, NGC AU 55, published plate coin$97,600*
56Atocha gold finger bar No. 13, 684 grams, 23.5K gold, ex Morse Collection$122,000*
57Santa Margarita gold finger bar No. 20, 546 grams, 18K gold$115,900*
66Atocha silver bar No. 585 from Oruro, 25 kg, ex Morse Collection$103,700*
68Atocha silver bar from Potosí, dated 1622, 7.23 kg$29,280*
100Seville gold cob 2 escudos, Philip III, PCGS UNC details, scratch, ex Atocha$85,400*
577Mexico City, Charles and Joanna Early Series 4 reales, assayer P, NGC XF 40$15,860*
579Mexico City, Charles and Joanna Early Series 3 reales, assayer Rincón, PCGS XF45$39,650*
591Mexico City, Charles II bird shaped cob 8 reales, ex Hudson, Practical Book of Cobs plate coin$13,420*
706Potosí, 1651 O cob 8 reales, crowned Z countermark, NGC VF 35$36,600*
728Potosí, 1652 E transitional cob 8 reales, Type III/A, NGC XF 40$10,980*
736Potosí, 1659 E Royal 8 reales, NGC XF details, holed$28,060*
860Santiago, 1758 J gold 2 escudos, Ferdinand VI, NGC AU 53, ex Segarra$122,000*
916Chile, La Serena countermarked 4 reales, 1833, on Argentina 1815 F, NGC FR 2, countermark VF$48,800*
929Cartagena, 1626 cob 8 reales, Philip IV, assayer H, RN mintmark$19,520*
945Bogotá, 1700 cob 4 reales, assayer A.V, NGC VF 30, cataloged as unique$19,520*
958Bogotá, 1769 JV gold 8 escudos, Charles III “rat nose” bust, NGC MS 62$36,600*
1029Colombia, 1825 copper pattern ¼ real, NGC UNC details, environmental damage, cataloged as unique$20,740*
1100Cuba, 2000 gold and silver proof 500 pesos, Che Guevara, No. 011, NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo$36,600*
1205Mexico City, 1732 F gold 4 escudos, Philip V, NGC MS 60, ex 1733 Fleet$170,800*
1206Mexico City, 1732 F gold 2 escudos, Philip V, NGC AU 58, Calicó plate coin$61,000*
1207Mexico City, 1732 F gold 1 escudo, Philip V, NGC MS 61, ex 1733 Fleet and Rudman$97,600*
1455Chile, Banco de la Alianza, 1872 20 pesos, PMG VF 20$7,320*
1488Colombia, Sopetrán, José María Melguizo, 1900 1 peso, PMG VG 10 NET, cataloged as unique$11,590*

* Prices realized include the 22% buyer’s premium. All amounts are in U.S. dollars.

Prices realized TA 40

Rare Banknote Highlights in our Auction 40

2 Nov

In our Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40, we feature a rewarding selection of Latin American banknotes, led by important rarities of Chile and Colombia.

The Colombian offering includes the remarkable Banco de Colombia fifty pesos face proof of 1875, the Banco de Bogotá ten pesos of the same year, and a group of elusive private issues, several cataloged as unique. Chile contributes early Valdivia necessity money, rare private bank emissions and the fiscal overprints of 1898. Selected notes from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States broaden the historical and geographical range.

Here are twenty rare banknotes featured in our upcoming sale that represent key opportunities for astute paper money collectors.

Four main rarities

Lot 1475. COLOMBIA, Bogotá, Banco de Colombia, proof 50 pesos, 1-4-1875, serial D, unique, PMG AU 53, finest and only example in PMG census

Lot 1475: COLOMBIA, Bogotá, Banco de Colombia, 50 pesos face proof, 1 April 1875
Lot 1475. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $9,000 to $13,500

DP-6723p; Pick-unlisted. A striking face proof for this Banco de Colombia note printed by Paredes of Bogotá featuring a large vignette of an Andean condor in a stylistic depiction of the arms of Colombia. Incredibly rare with no examples in the Eldorado Collection and this being the only example graded by PMG. The red seals against the blue paper stand out prominently and the black design is quite bold with only some handling noted in the corners. Pedigreed to the J. Cuartas Collection (stated on label).

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Lot 1476. COLOMBIA, Bogotá, Banco de Bogotá, 10 pesos, 15-2-1875, serial C, serial 2584, unique, PMG Choice F 15, finest and only example in PMG census, Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia Plate Note

Lot 1476: COLOMBIA, Bogotá, Banco de Bogotá, 10 pesos, 15 February 1875
Lot 1476. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $7,500 to $15,000

DP-6223; Pick-S274. The rarity of this note cannot be overstated since it is among the first notes issued by the Banco de Bogotá after its founding in 1870. Its ornate design, created by Perkins, Bacon and Co. of London, is sharply rendered in black ink with several circular red denominators throughout, the reverse showing a large design centered around the signature of the Cajero. While circulated with some stains and a small internal split near the left margin, the sharpness of the design suggests a higher grade than assigned. This is the only example recorded to date for this denomination and series issued during the existence of the Banco de Bogotá. Plated on page 449 of Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014), by Danilo Parra Ariza.

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Lot 1488. COLOMBIA, Sopetrán, José María Melguizo H., 1 peso, 19-1-1900, serial 5330, black overprint on a Banco de Sopetrán 1 peso remainder, unique, PMG VG 10 NET, finest and only example in PMG census, Compendio Historico del Papel Moneda en Colombia Plate Note

Lot 1488: COLOMBIA, Sopetrán, José María Melguizo H., 1 peso, 19 January 1900
Lot 1488. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $6,000 to $9,000

DP-13580; Pick-S918. Rare local issue of José María Melguizo H., with a bold black overprint, date and serial number applied to a Colombia Banco de Sopetrán 1 peso remainder (Pick-S918). Previously mounted and well circulated, with the expected handling and surface wear for the grade, yet the principal design elements, overprint, date and serial remain readily legible. An unusually elusive Colombian private issue and a significant survivor from Sopetrán. Plated on page 1002 in the Compendio Historico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014) by Danilo Parra Ariza.

View Lot 1488 and bid at Sedwick

Lot 1455. CHILE, Santiago, Banco de la Alianza, 20 pesos, 13-12-1872, serial D2213, red overprint on a Banco Nacional de Chile 20 pesos remainder, extremely rare, PMG VF 20, finest and only example in PMG census, ex-Burstyn

Lot 1455: CHILE, Santiago, Banco de la Alianza, 20 pesos, 13 December 1872
Lot 1455. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $3,500 to $5,000

Pick-S118. Overprinted on a Banco Nacional 20 pesos (Pick-S320). The Banco de la Alianza and Banco Nacional were owned by the same shareholders, and the former was founded to expand the authorized total amount to be issued. It was closed in 1879, after the crisis of 1878 triggered the end of the redeemability of the private bank issues in silver or gold. Nice, bold host note design and red overprint with vignettes of a plowing scene at left and the arms of Chile at center, a bit circulated yet eye-appealing with only some pinholes to note. Listed as rare in the Pick catalog and not priced at any grade. Pedigreed to the Leon Burstyn Collection.

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Chile: early paper, private banks and fiscal currency

Lot 1472. CHILE, Valdivia, Tesorería y Aduana Unidas Valdivia, 4 reales, 1840, very rare, PMG Choice F 15 NET

Lot 1472: CHILE, Valdivia, Tesorería y Aduana Unidas, 4 reales, 1840
Lot 1472. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,500 to $3,750

Among the earliest Republican bank notes of Chile, and rather choice for this local necessity issue. This series circulated in the southern Province of Valdivia, issued in denominations of 4 and 8 reales between 1840 and 1844, and recalled almost in its entirety. Unredeemed notes are unknown and presentable examples of this very scarce 4 reales denomination are rare. Circulated with a sewn horizontal split but otherwise quite presentable with bold printing of its basic design including several stamped seals on both sides, overall quite rare as one of just two notes in the PMG census below a VF 25 example and an appealing example of the first paper money of Chile.

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Lot 1441. CHILE, Santiago, República de Chile, 10 pesos, serial G20161, 1-8-1898 black/red EMISION FISCAL overprint on a Banco Nacional 10 pesos, rare, PMG F 12

Lot 1441: CHILE, Santiago, República de Chile, 10 pesos, fiscal overprint of 1 August 1898
Lot 1441. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Pick-48. Overprinted on a Chile Banco Nacional 10 pesos (Pick-S334). The Fiscal issue of 1898 utilized remainder notes of the old private banks, with the overprint EMISION FISCAL LEI 1.054 DE 31 DE JULIO DE 1898 on the back. Very rare example of this provisional issue with a different date than documented in Pick (also unpriced at any grade). One of just two in the PMG census, the other only slightly finer at Fine 15. Bold host note design with faded but certain overprint (black on the obverse, red on the reverse), only a single pinhole at the center to note.

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Lot 1450. CHILE, Rere, Banco de Rere, 20 pesos remainder, no date (1890s), series A, serial 17464, PMG VF 25 NET, finest known in PMG census

Lot 1450: CHILE, Rere, Banco de Rere, 20 pesos remainder, undated, 1890s
Lot 1450. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Pick-S389. The only two denominations made for the Banco de Rere, 10 and 20 pesos, are only known as remainders. Bold design printed by Waterlow & Sons with vignettes of a train at left and armored bust at right, fully framed with wide margins, some repairs done around the edges where some small paper pulls have occurred as well as partial erasure of added signatures and date. Very rare and the finer of just two in the PMG census.

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Lot 1459. CHILE, Santiago, Banco Mobiliario, 20 pesos, 2-1-18XX (1880s), serial 47697, very rare, PMG F 12, finest and only example in PMG census

Lot 1459: CHILE, Santiago, Banco Mobiliario, 20 pesos, 1880s
Lot 1459. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $800 to $1,200

Pick-S309. Very rare in issued form and probably the first time anyone has seen such an example; the Pick catalog only states “proof” for the type and the PMG census only indicates a few proofs and specimens graded there. Well-handled note though still possessing a bold face design with vignettes of an armored bust at left, an Andean condor at center, and a man with llamas at right. The bottom left corner is missing and a pair of staple holes are noted at left plus a few small rust spots along the top margin.

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Lot 1460. CHILE, Santiago, Banco de Santiago, 10 pesos, 8-12-1883, series A, serial 53931, very rare, PMG Choice F 15, finest and only example in PMG census

Lot 1460: CHILE, Santiago, Banco de Santiago, 10 pesos, 8 December 1883
Lot 1460. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Pick-S414a. A fascinating rarity with a detailed design made by the American Bank Note Company featuring numerous vignettes with bank title and red denomination 10 at center, penned and stamped signatures at bottom along with stamped date. Wide margins on three sides with some edge damage localized to the right margin, a few tiny rust spots noted as well.

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Lot 1467. CHILE, Valparaiso, Banco Consolidado, 5 pesos, 3-1-1877, serial 23055, rare, PMG Choice F 15, finest and only example in PMG census

Lot 1467: CHILE, Valparaiso, Banco Consolidado, 5 pesos, 3 January 1877
Lot 1467. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000

Pick-S188a. Very rare example of the “convertible” group of issues which were redeemable in gold and silver. Circulated note with some edge damage and paper pulls along with many pinholes and a few minor repairs yet still showing off its bold design graced by vignettes of an allegorical woman at left, cherubs in the center, and cherubs with a scroll at the right.

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Colombia: banknotes, proofs and local money

Lot 1480. COLOMBIA, Medellín, Agencia Bancaria, 50 pesos, 29-3-1898, serial 79, unique, PMG VF 30, finest and only example in PMG census, Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia Plate Note

Lot 1480: COLOMBIA, Medellín, Agencia Bancaria, 50 pesos, 29 March 1898
Lot 1480. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,500 to $3,750

DP-5540; Pick-unl. A key Colombian banknote rarity as the only known example, this large format Agencia Bancaria note possesses great eye appeal as the handling wear is modest and the printing is bold throughout. Numerous bank and government stamps are seen on both sides and the penned date is quite strong. The label notes a few minor rust spots but these do little to detract from this rare note. Plated on page 393 of Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014), by Danilo Parra Ariza.

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Lot 1481. COLOMBIA, Medellín, Banco Popular de Medellín, 5 pesos, 7-9-1899, series 2a, serial 13269, black overprint on a Banco Republicano 5 pesos, extremely rare, PMG F 12 NET

Lot 1481: COLOMBIA, Medellín, Banco Popular de Medellín, 5 pesos, 7 September 1899
Lot 1481. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $3,000 to $4,500

DP-9181; Pick-unl. A handsome, colorful example of this very rare Banco Popular overprint across the reverse of a previously issued Banco Republicano 5 pesos note (Pick-S812a, DP-9281). Some repairs have been done in areas across the face and margins, which the PMG label notes as Repaired and Pieces Added. Much of the host note design is bold, with nice colors noted in the flags flanking the design, a popular feature found on this rare overprint-and-host combination.

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Lot 1483. COLOMBIA, Bogotá, G. de Caycedo & Ca., 25 centavos, 1-1-1884, unique, PMG Choice UNC 63, finest and only example in PMG census

Lot 1483: COLOMBIA, Bogotá, G. de Caycedo & Ca., 25 centavos proof, 1 January 1884
Lot 1483. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $2,000 to $4,000

DP-12430; PickS886Ap. A gorgeous proof example of the only denomination issued by this company based in Bogotá that contracted Howard and Jones of London to print it. Boldly printed with great centering and wide margins, nice paper quality.

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Lot 1486. COLOMBIA, Hacienda Entre Rios, 10 centavos, 28 April 1900

Lot 1486: COLOMBIA, Hacienda Entre Rios, 10 centavos, 28 April 1900
Lot 1486. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $3,500 to $5,000

Pick-unl; DP-unl. Exceptionally rare local hacienda issue, dated 28 April 1900 and printed by Eugenio Pardo of Bogotá, produced during the monetary disruption of Colombia’s Thousand Days’ War. Clear printing and strong signatures remain despite some staining and areas of thinning from circulation and handling. Unique, and at present the finest and only example recorded in the PMG census. Pedigreed to the Neil Shafer Collection of “Money of the People” in Lyn Knight Memphis Auction of June 2014, lot 5244.

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Lot 1487. COLOMBIA, Málaga, El Rayo X, 10 centavos, September 1902, serial 0162, unique, PMG VF 20, finest and only example in PMG census, Compendio Historico del Papel Moneda en Colombia Plate Note

Lot 1487: COLOMBIA, Málaga, El Rayo X, 10 centavos, September 1902
Lot 1487. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $3,000 to $4,500

DP-11100; Pick-unl. A fascinating small-denomination privately issued note that is plated in Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014) and described there as the only example known. Circulated with a missing corner tip yet the black ink design, while crude, is readily legible. Plated on page 845 of Compendio Historico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014) by Danilo Parra Ariza.

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Lot 1490. COLOMBIA, Palmira, Hacienda de la Manuelita, 20 centavos, (1900), extremely rare, PMG Choice F 15

Lot 1490: COLOMBIA, Palmira, Hacienda de la Manuelita, 20 centavos, 1900
Lot 1490. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $3,000 to $4,500

The much rarer version of the only denomination issued by this private hacienda in 1900, this one printed by M. Saray & Ca. of Bogotá. Well circulated with a few small internal holes and paper pulls on the back from prior mounting yet possessing a clear front printing in black ink.

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Beyond Chile and Colombia

Lot 1492. COSTA RICA, San José, Banco Internacional, 5 colones, 9-10-1918, series B, serial 52659, black overprint on 1-12-1916 5 colones, PMG VF 30, “top pop”

Lot 1492: COSTA RICA, San José, Banco Internacional, 5 colones, 9 October 1918
Lot 1492. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $1,500 to $2,250

Tied with one other for finest known in the PMG census. Quite colorful with nice margins around the design and a bold overprint on the back, some stain spots on the reverse, quite rare in any grade.

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Lot 1493. GUATEMALA, Quezaltenango, Banco de Guatemala, 5 pesos, 10-9-1896, serial 16378, PMG F 12, “top pop”

Lot 1493: GUATEMALA, Quezaltenango, Banco de Guatemala, 5 pesos, 10 September 1896
Lot 1493. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $1,000 to $1,500

Pick-S149A. About Fine with missing lower-left corner plus a few pinholes, yet the design remains bold with clearly legible date, a very rare type for this bank with the text SUCURSAL QUEZALTENANGO at top, tied with one other for finest known in the PMG census.

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Lot 1495. MEXICO, Chihuahua, Banco Minero Chihuahuense, 1 peso, 1880, serial 36441, with red VALE overprint

Lot 1495: MEXICO, Chihuahua, Banco Minero Chihuahuense, 1 peso, 1880
Lot 1495. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $300 to $450

Frampton-M148a; Pick-S175a. With red VALE POR PESOS FUERTES A LA PAR. overprint. Considerably rare type from this banco with bold red overprint horizontally across its face. Bold Very Fine with a single pinhole in the upper left corner.

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Lot 1508. UNITED STATES, Continental Congress, $2/3 “Fugio note,” February 17, 1776, serial 62954, plate B

Lot 1508: UNITED STATES, Continental Congress, two thirds of a dollar, 17 February 1776
Lot 1508. Photograph: Sedwick & Associates. Click to view the lot and bid.

Estimate: $250 to $375

FR-CC-22. Signed by Samuel Sellers. Very Fine example of the highest denomination issued in the iconic Fugio Continental dollar series, a design created by Benjamin Franklin. The obverse vignette depicts a sunface shining down on a sundial with the legend FUGIO and MIND YOUR BUSINESS beneath; the reverse shows thirteen rings, one for each of the colonies, around a sunburst with text AMERICAN CONGRESS and WE ARE ONE. Well printed with clear design throughout and bold signature, small split in margin of lower left corner and small residue spot at top.

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What makes this offering worth studying

The strongest connection among these notes is the evidence they preserve. The Colombian plate notes can be matched to published references; the Chilean overprints record a change of issuing authority; the proofs distinguish printers and methods of production; and the local private issues preserve names that scarcely appear in ordinary national currency collections. Condition varies considerably, and repairs, missing paper and mounting traces should be weighed alongside rarity and provenance.

For us, the opportunity is to compare these different forms of survival in one sale. A colorful proof, a worn but documented private note and a plainly printed necessity issue can each represent a major acquisition for the right collection. We encourage bidders to examine both sides of every note and read the complete description before deciding where to concentrate.

Auction information

Sedwick & Associates, LLC
Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40
Dates: November 5 to 7, 2026
Featured paper money: Session 5, Medals & World Paper Money
Session 5 begins: Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
Buyer’s premium: 22% of the hammer price, plus applicable taxes, fees and shipping

All twenty lots featured here are in Session 5. The session begins with medals, so individual paper money lots will be offered later as the sale progresses. The full auction comprises nearly 1,950 lots across six sessions.

Contact: P.O. Box 1964, Winter Park, Florida 32790, USA
Telephone: +1 407 975 3325
Email: auction@sedwickcoins.com

Browse Session 5, register and bid directly at Sedwick

The individual lot pages are the definitive source for current descriptions, estimates, corrections, photographs, bidding and auction terms. Estimates and census statements in this preview reflect the information available at preparation.

Sources and further reading: The twenty original Auction 40 lot descriptions and photographs linked above; Danilo Parra Ariza, Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia (2014), plate references as cited in the auction catalog; PMG, Sedwick Offers PMG certified Vintage Rarities from Latin America; Chilean Gold Rarities and Three Great Collections in Auction 40.

Chilean Gold Rarities and Three Great Collections in Auction 40

29 Oct

Chile has one of the most challenging and rewarding gold series of Spanish America, and in our Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40 we are pleased to offer an unusually concentrated selection of important Santiago issues. The strength lies not only in the number of dates, but in their scarcity, survival, grade and long-established pedigrees. A number of pieces can be traced to the Fernando Segarra Collection, the Norweb Collection, and the Colección Val y Mexía, with additional important examples from Godoy and Caballero de las Yndias.

The Santiago mint was authorized in 1743 and struck its first gold coin in 1749. Unlike the better-known high-volume Spanish American mints, Santiago produced numerous gold dates in very limited quantities. That is why even a relatively modest escudo can be a far greater date rarity than its larger and more conspicuous counterpart. The transition from Charles III to Charles IV and then Ferdinand VII adds unusual portraits, old-bust combinations and scarce assayer varieties to the series.

We particularly want to draw attention to the 1758 J two escudos, one of only three known; the 1817 FJ four escudos from Norweb, reportedly one of five or six known; and several four- and two-escudos dates with mintages in the mere hundreds. We have also included a few important silver and republican pieces, especially the first-year 1817 volcano peso and the exceptionally rare La Serena countermark from the Virgil Brand Collection. These are the highlights we would examine first, but the full Chilean section merits careful study.

Click any coin photograph, lot heading or bidding link to open the corresponding lot directly on our Sedwick auction platform.

Selected colonial and republican gold

Lot 842. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1768 A, upright assayer

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 842, Chile, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1768 A, upright assayer
Lot 842. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, NGC AU details (harshly cleaned), ex Norweb. The distinctive early “rat nose” portrait is coupled with the upright A assayer, a late correction to the earlier inverted A. The crowned arms and Golden Fleece collar are particularly sharp. We have found this corrected variety scarcer than the other 1768 A arrangements, with no other certified example recorded by either grading service at cataloging.

Provenance: Norweb Collection, Spink America, March 1997, lot 107. An unusually specific mintmark and assayer rarity, not just another early Santiago eight escudos.

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Lot 843. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1782/71 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 843, Chile, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1782/71 DA
Lot 843. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU 50. An excellent intersection of two major pedigrees, ex Segarra and ex Colección Val y Mexía. The unusually long overdate is sharply expressed, with bright yellow luster, only light adjustment marks next to the portrait and minimal wear. We considered the coin close to Mint State despite its assigned grade.

Provenance: Segarra Collection and Colección Val y Mexía. A desirable overdate within the year’s reported mintage of 40,000.

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Lot 844. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1783 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 844, Chile, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles III, 1783 DA
Lot 844. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU 55, ex Norweb. A handsome late Charles III eight escudos with bold details and the documented pedigree that makes the piece particularly attractive to collectors building a representative run of Santiago gold. The large denomination provides a useful counterpoint to the much rarer fractional gold that follows.

Provenance: Norweb Collection, as stated on the certification label.

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Lot 847. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles IV transitional, 1789 DA, private countermark

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 847, Chile, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Charles IV transitional, 1789 DA, private countermark
Lot 847. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU details, private countermark, ex Colección Val y Mexía. A choice 1789 transitional issue retaining the bust of Charles III with the new king’s ordinal IV. Rich gold with rainbow toning and an intriguing small punch consisting of a cross within a triangle below the denomination.

We noted a similar punch on a 1794 Mexico City eight escudos. The identification remains open, but the correspondence raises the possibility of a merchant, goldsmith or trading-house mark applied to circulating gold. The marked coin itself is the evidence; the precise issuer of the punch is not yet established.

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Lot 849. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Ferdinand VII, 1810 FJ, admiral bust

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 849, Chile, Santiago gold bust 8 escudos, Ferdinand VII, 1810 FJ, admiral bust
Lot 849. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU 55, ex Colección Val y Mexía. The distinctive “admiral bust” is one of the most immediately recognizable Chilean transitional portraits, a short-lived design associated with Santiago. This example offers an exceptionally bold strike, complete rims and strong luster, although lightly polished.

Provenance: Colección Val y Mexía. A particularly representative coin of a turbulent period in the Spanish monarchy.

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Lot 851. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles III, 1786 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 851, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles III, 1786 DA
Lot 851. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, NGC AU 50, sole example in the NGC census at cataloging. This exceptionally low-mintage issue is recorded at only 697 pieces struck. Choice strike and full rims, excellent luster, and minor reverse lamination flaws, with wear largely confined to the portrait.

Four escudos of Santiago are difficult enough in general, but a well-preserved example of this specific date is something different. We consider it one of the most significant date rarities among the smaller gold denominations in this sale.

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Lot 853. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1796 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 853, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1796 DA
Lot 853. Photo opens our auction lot.

Rare, PCGS AU 55, sole entry in the PCGS census at cataloging. A choice later colonial four escudos with lustrous surfaces and a strong grade for a denomination that seldom appears in this condition. An instructive comparison with the 1786 Charles III issue and the scarcer dates of the same Charles IV series.

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Lot 855. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1799 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 855, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1799 DA
Lot 855. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, PCGS AU 50, ex Godoy, from a reported mintage of just 2,754. We located only one other auction appearance in recent decades and knew of no other certified example at cataloging. Rich gold color, minor marks and modest wear on the portrait.

Provenance: Godoy Collection, Áureo, March 2004, lot 443. The long-established pedigree is an important part of the appeal of this date.

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Lot 856. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1800 AJ

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 856, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1800 AJ
Lot 856. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, PCGS AU 53. Only 646 pieces are reported struck, and our cataloging identified just two auction examples in recent decades, this coin and the Caballero de las Yndias example, each certified AU 53 by a different grading service. The strike is notably sharp, with complete rims and attractive luster.

This is the sort of coin that demands attention from collectors of Chilean gold by date, not simply by major type.

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Lot 857. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1806 FJ/JF

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 857, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Charles IV, 1806 FJ/JF
Lot 857. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, PCGS VF 30, sole example in the PCGS census at cataloging. The over-assayer FJ/JF is the feature to study here. For a specialist, a scarce assayer correction on a denomination already difficult to collect can be as interesting as a low-mintage date.

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Lot 859. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Ferdinand VII, 1817 FJ, bust of Charles IV

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 859, Chile, Santiago gold bust 4 escudos, Ferdinand VII, 1817 FJ, bust of Charles IV
Lot 859. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, NGC AU 50, ex Norweb. Only five or six examples were reported known in our catalog, with this piece the finest graded at either NGC or PCGS at the time. Rich gold and delicate reddish toning, full rims, strong date and peripheral details; the centers are only moderately soft.

The nominal 1817 mintage is recorded as only 68, although production reportedly continued under the Republic with the colonial date and design retained. Provenance: Norweb Collection, Spink America, March 1997, lot 169. One of the clearest highlights of the offering.

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Lot 860. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Ferdinand VI, 1758 J, bust of Philip V

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 860, Chile, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Ferdinand VI, 1758 J, bust of Philip V
Lot 860. Photo opens our auction lot.

One of three known. Extremely rare, NGC AU 53, ex Segarra, and illustrated in the Krause-Mishler references. The only date of this denomination under Ferdinand VI was struck using the portrait of Philip V, an extraordinary holdover from the previous reign. The recorded mintage is just 443 pieces.

The other two known specimens are the impaired Norweb example and the Medina specimen now held by Banco de Chile. Our coin is the best-preserved of the three and, in practical terms, the only unimpaired example currently available to private collectors. Deep red toning over luster, light high-point wear and a slightly off-center strike. Provenance: Fernando Segarra Collection, with an extensive auction history beginning with Superior, December 1990, where it appeared on the catalog cover.

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Lot 861. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles III, 1777/6 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 861, Chile, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles III, 1777/6 DA
Lot 861. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, PCGS VF 20. Both the overdate and the date are unlisted in the standard references cited in our catalog. Bright luster for the grade, a broad flan and a bold 7 over 6. We have seen only one other example in recent decades. An important unlisted variety, irrespective of numerical grade.

The PCGS insert identifies the denomination as 2 reales in error; the coin is gold 2 escudos.

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Lot 862. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles IV transitional, 1789 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 862, Chile, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles IV transitional, 1789 DA
Lot 862. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, NGC VF 30. The transitional coinage carries the portrait of Charles III but the ordinal IV of Charles IV. On a broad, well-centered flan with complete rims and even circulation, from a reported mintage of 1,632. Our catalog recorded just two NGC examples and none at PCGS.

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Lot 864. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles IV, 1807 FJ, bust of Charles III

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 864, Chile, Santiago gold bust 2 escudos, Charles IV, 1807 FJ, bust of Charles III
Lot 864. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, PCGS AU 55, the only example in its PCGS census at cataloging, with none at NGC. Just 340 pieces were reportedly struck. We also found no recent auction appearances. A very choice strike, complete rims, excellent luster and lovely yellow gold make this an especially impressive survival for the date.

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Lot 866. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1779 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 866, Chile, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1779 DA
Lot 866. Photo opens our auction lot.

Rare, NGC MS 62, tied for finest in the NGC census at cataloging. Brilliant pale yellow gold with complete rims and sharply preserved detail, including a repunched final 9 in the date. The reported mintage was 6,324, and only two examples were then listed by NGC, both at MS 62.

Provenance: Ira and Larry Goldberg, May 2007, lot 4252.

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Lot 867. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1783/2 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 867, Chile, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1783/2 DA
Lot 867. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, PCGS XF 45, sole example in the PCGS census at cataloging. A specialist overdate of the smaller Chilean gold denomination, showing the same appeal that makes the larger escudos so collectible: scarce dies, limited surviving populations and a relatively short production history.

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Lot 868. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1784/3 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 868, Chile, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles III, 1784/3 DA
Lot 868. Photo opens our auction lot.

Very rare, NGC XF 45, ex Caballero de las Yndias. Bold overdate, rich gold with pleasing luster and rims; we thought the coin close to AU. Reported mintage 3,264. It was far superior to the only other piece listed at NGC at cataloging, graded F 12, with none at PCGS.

Provenance: Caballero de las Yndias Collection, Áureo & Calicó, April 2009, lot 60.

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Lot 871. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles IV, 1801 AJ

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 871, Chile, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles IV, 1801 AJ
Lot 871. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, NGC VF 30, ex Norweb. A low reported mintage of 1,088 and no auction appearances we could locate in the decades since the 1997 Norweb sale. Full rims, surprisingly bold portrait for the grade, aged yellow gold and only moderate wear.

Unlike the larger 8 and 2 escudos of the period, which retained Charles III’s portrait, this smaller gold piece displays the proper portrait of Charles IV. Provenance: Norweb Collection, Spink America, March 1997, lot 128.

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Lot 872. CHILE, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles IV, 1808 FJ

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 872, Chile, Santiago gold bust 1 escudo, Charles IV, 1808 FJ
Lot 872. Photo opens our auction lot.

Rare, PCGS AU 55, the finest numerically graded example in its PCGS census at cataloging. Last year of the type, reportedly just 2,448 pieces. Remarkably brilliant, with full rims, virtually no wear, a typically soft portrait and reverse adjustment marks. A strong specimen for a date and denomination not often seen so fresh.

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The silver and republican connection

Lot 890. CHILE, Santiago silver bust 8 reales, Charles IV, 1799 DA

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 890, Chile, Santiago silver bust 8 reales, Charles IV, 1799 DA
Lot 890. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU 58, tied for finest in the NGC census at cataloging. Deep rainbow toning over strong luster and a well-detailed strike with nearly complete rims. A handsome example of the late colonial silver that circulated alongside these gold issues, and a good illustration of how much harder choice preservation can be than the simple mintage suggests.

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Lot 912. CHILE, Santiago silver volcano peso, 1817 FJ

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 912, Chile, Santiago silver volcano peso, 1817 FJ
Lot 912. Photo opens our auction lot.

PCGS MS 62. The first year of independent Chilean coinage bears the new republic’s erupting volcano motif, in marked contrast to the royal portraits of the colonial period. This is an unusually appealing Mint State example, with fine light rainbow toning over luster, clean surfaces and only the slightly irregular rims typical of manufacture.

The “volcano” peso is among the most emblematic silver types of independent Spanish America, and this first-date example belongs in any serious survey of Chilean numismatics.

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Lot 916. CHILE, La Serena countermarked 4 reales, 1833, on Argentina 1815 F host coin

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 916, Chile, La Serena countermarked 4 reales, 1833, on Argentina 1815 F host coin
Lot 916. Photo opens our auction lot.

Extremely rare, ex Virgil Brand. NGC FR 2 on the host coin, with a VF countermark. The official La Serena volcano-over-SER. punch, applied in 1833 to an 1815 F Potosí four reales of the Argentine River Plate Provinces, is among the great rarities of South American countermarked coinage.

A decree of March 29, 1833 authorized six Chilean Treasury offices to validate certain earlier River Plate issues. Our catalog records just six genuine SER. countermarks across all denominations, including only three on four reales. The host is worn, but the stamp is deeply impressed and complete. Provenance: Virgil Brand Collection, Schulman, November 1964, lot 3740. The host is properly four reales, not four soles as stated in the NGC label.

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Lot 917. CHILE, Santiago republican gold 8 escudos, 1843/2 IJ, reeded edge

Sedwick Auction 40 Lot 917, Chile, Santiago republican gold 8 escudos, 1843/2 IJ, reeded edge
Lot 917. Photo opens our auction lot.

NGC AU details (edge filing), ex Norweb. We include this republican gold piece as a fitting continuation of the colonial series, with a bold 1843/2 overdate and rich red toning over luster. The edge filing cited by NGC was not apparent to us and had not been mentioned in the original Norweb catalog.

Provenance: Norweb Collection, Spink America, March 1997, lot 219. A useful bridge between the colonial bust gold of Santiago and Chile’s independent gold issues.

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Why this group deserves attention

For us the most compelling feature is the combination of rarity and documentation. The Segarra 1758 J is a true three-known rarity, not merely a sparse grading-population coin. Norweb brings documented ownership reaching back to the 1997 dispersal, while the Val y Mexía coins add a coherent run of gold and silver that can be compared across reigns, denominations and varieties. The lesser denominations, especially the four- and two-escudos issues, are a particular opportunity for the serious Chilean specialist.

Beyond the gold, the 1817 volcano peso records Chile’s deliberate break from royal imagery, and the 1833 La Serena countermark shows how the young republic regulated circulating foreign silver. Taken together, the coins tell a much broader story than a list of impressive grades or dates.

Auction information

Sedwick & Associates, LLC
Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40
Dates: November 5 to 7, 2026
Chilean coins featured here: Session 4, Ancient & World Coins by Country
Session 4 begins: Friday, November 6, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time
Buyer’s premium: 22% added to the hammer price, plus any applicable taxes or charges
Registration: New bidders are asked to register at least 72 hours in advance so references can be verified.

Our Auction 40 comprises nearly 1,950 lots in six sessions, including treasure and shipwreck material, colonial cobs, world coins, medals and paper money. Lot pages on auction.sedwickcoins.com are the definitive source for current terms, estimates, corrections, images and live bidding.

Sedwick & Associates, LLC
P.O. Box 1964, Winter Park, Florida 32790, USA
Telephone: +1 407 975 3325

Browse Session 4 and bid directly at Sedwick

Further historical reading: Casa de Moneda de Chile, History and Museo Numismático, Chilean monetary history.

Odd Shapes, Real Minting Evidence: A Special Collection of Mexican Cobs in Auction 40

29 Oct

One of the more unusual collections in our Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40 asks us to look at Mexican cobs in a slightly different way. Normally we begin with the date, assayer, mintmark, shield, cross and other elements impressed by the dies. With these coins, however, the first thing that attracts our attention is the silver itself.

The Special Collection of Odd Shaped Mexican Cobs consists of 67 pieces assembled over more than fifteen years for the extraordinary forms of their planchets. The collection ranges from the 1/2 real through the 8 reales denomination and focuses mainly on Mexico City issues of Charles II and Philip V.

Some are long and narrow. Others terminate in knobs, points or sweeping projections. Several have natural bubble holes or voids in the silver. In a few exceptional cases the resulting shapes happen to resemble recognizable animals or objects.

These forms are much more than curiosities. They preserve direct evidence of the process by which the silver was prepared before striking.

Daniel Frank Sedwick discussed this subject in “Straps for Cash”, originally published in our Treasure Auction 7 catalog. The evidence indicates that silver for cob coinage was prepared in relatively flat strips or straps known as rieles. Molten silver spread irregularly as it cooled, and individual blanks were then separated and adjusted according to weight.

The natural sides and ends of the original strip could therefore survive into the finished coin. Straight cuts, hammered points, natural curves, indentations and bubble holes can all tell us something about the preparation of the planchet before it was placed between the dies.

This also helps explain the traditional expression cabo de barra, particularly appropriate for certain terminal pieces that appear to have come from the end of a silver strap.

The collection was also recently discussed by the 1715 Fleet Society, following its October 2026 Treasure of the Month feature highlighting two Fleet related pieces from the group.

As explained in our catalog introduction, the collection was organized using a shape classification from S1 through S4. The collector also assigned descriptive names to many individual pieces. We retain those names below only where they belong, alongside the collector’s original tag designation.

Here are some of the pieces we find particularly memorable.

Lot 584. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, 1701 (L), posthumous Charles II

Lot 584 Mexico City cob 8 reales 1701 posthumous Charles II
Lot 584. Click image to view the auction lot.

This coin is unusual even before its shape enters the discussion. The bold full 701 is surely one of the clearest examples of the posthumous 1701 issue we have encountered. The mintmark is also full, while the assayer is off the flan because of the extreme curvature of the planchet.

The irregular outline is long, curved and pointed at the ends. Despite the shape, the coin retains a full shield and cross, with particularly well detailed castles.

With collector tag M S3 39 (“New Jersey”). Pedigreed to the Plvs Vltra Collection, Soler y Llach auction of October 2021, lot 1381, acquired from J. A. Herrero in July 1991.

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Lot 585. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer L

Lot 585 Mexico City cob 8 reales Charles II assayer L
Lot 585. Click image to view the auction lot.

At 26.94 grams, this coin is recognizable immediately because of the long curved projection extending from one end. The central body is worn, with peripheral flatness, but portions of both shield and cross remain visible and the surfaces are attractively toned.

The Louis Hudson pedigree is particularly appropriate, as Hudson was known for collecting cobs whose natural or altered shapes suggested animals.

With collector tag M S4 23 (“Silver Cat”). Pedigreed to the Louis Hudson Collection.

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Lot 586. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer L

Lot 586 Mexico City cob 8 reales Charles II assayer L
Lot 586. Click image to view the auction lot.

This 26.54 gram coin has a narrow barrel shaped body from which an exceptionally long projection extends at one end. The mintmark and assayer are bold and complete, most of the cross remains present and the king’s ordinal appears outside the shield.

The projection makes this one of the clearest pieces for visualizing just how irregular the original silver could be before striking.

With collector tag M S4 15 (“Rhino”). Pedigreed to the Richard A. Long auction of August 1984.

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Lot 589. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer L, with Guatemala countermark

Lot 589 Mexico City Charles II 8 reales Guatemala countermark
Lot 589. Click image to view the auction lot.

Here the original irregular planchet is only the beginning of the story. The coin later received a Guatemala sun over mountains countermark, giving us two separate stages in the life of the same piece of silver.

The odd outline belongs to its manufacture at Mexico City. The later countermark records its continued monetary use generations afterward.

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Lot 591. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer not visible

Lot 591 Mexico City Charles II cob 8 reales bird profile
Lot 591. Click image to view the auction lot.

This is one of the great character cobs of the collection. The 27.46 gram coin naturally forms the profile of a bird or parrot, with a pronounced curved beak at one end and an erect tail at the other.

More important, the coin remains full weight. The profile was not created later by cutting away silver. The principal later modification is the remarkably well placed piercing where the bird’s eye would appear.

The coin was formerly in the Louis Hudson Collection and was illustrated in The Practical Book of Cobs.

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Lot 592. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, ex 1715 Fleet

Lot 592 Mexico City Charles II cob 8 reales 1715 Fleet
Lot 592. Click image to view the auction lot.

The 1715 Fleet Society recently selected this coin for its October Treasure of the Month feature. It weighs 23.11 grams and combines a highly unusual natural planchet with an important shipwreck pedigree.

The cross is choice, much of the shield remains visible and the obverse shows only light surface corrosion.

With collector tag M S4 20 (“Snail”). From the 1715 Fleet, John Bamberg division, and pedigreed to Sedwick Auction 9, lot 818.

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Lot 593. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer not visible

Lot 593 Mexico City Charles II elongated cob 8 reales
Lot 593. Click image to view the auction lot.

At 27.59 grams this is essentially a full weight coin, yet the planchet stretches into an exceptionally long natural curve. Most of the shield and cross are visible, together with a bold cross pattée in the surrounding legend.

We described it in the catalog as definitely one of the most dramatic shapes in the collection, and we see no reason to change that assessment.

With collector tag M S4 19 (“Worm”).

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Lot 601. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, with Guatemala countermark

Lot 601 Mexico City Charles II cob 8 reales Guatemala countermark
Lot 601. Click image to view the auction lot.

This full weight 27.16 gram coin possesses a long, thick projection extending from its otherwise squarish body. A crude old hole occupies one corner while the later Guatemala sun over mountains countermark is strongly impressed.

The original planchet, subsequent piercing and later countermark make this a particularly good example of the several different histories that can accumulate on one cob.

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Lot 607. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, assayer not visible

Lot 607 Mexico City Charles II cob 8 reales elongated planchet
Lot 607. Click image to view the auction lot.

The basic shape is a long rectangle, but a pronounced lateral projection interrupts one side. At 24.71 grams, the coin retains most of its cross and roughly half of the shield.

With collector tag M S4 07 (“Cowboy Boot”).

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Lot 608. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Charles II, with Guatemala countermark

Lot 608 Mexico City Charles II cob 8 reales Guatemala countermark
Lot 608. Click image to view the auction lot.

This 24.50 gram cob is long and slightly rectangular, with curving sides, a projection at one end and an old piercing opposite it.

The Guatemala sun over mountains countermark is especially bold, impressed into a flat peripheral area beside the cross.

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Lot 620. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Philip V, style of 1712 to 1714

Lot 620 Mexico City Philip V cob 8 reales
Lot 620. Click image to view the auction lot.

This 27.15 gram piece is particularly useful when considering the old term cabo de barra. Three sides are naturally rounded while the remaining side is comparatively straight, suggesting a terminal portion separated from a longer strap of silver.

The shield is nearly full, the cross is weaker and the denomination 8 is visible.

With collector tag M S2 41 (“Powder Flask”).

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Lot 628. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, 1729 R

Lot 628 Mexico City 1729 R cob 8 reales natural bubble pit
Lot 628. Click image to view the auction lot.

Not every important irregularity in the collection occurs at the edge. This 26.79 gram coin has a large natural depression in the center of the shield side.

Most of the crown is present, the mintmark and assayer are clear and the cross is full with a sunken center. The piece demonstrates that irregularities created during cooling could remain inside the body of the finished blank as well as around its perimeter.

With collector tag, including the collector name “Moon Step.”

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Lot 631. Mexico City, cob 8 reales, Philip V, style of 1714 to 1733

Lot 631 Mexico City Philip V cob 8 reales natural void
Lot 631. Click image to view the auction lot.

This 26.30 gram cob contains a narrow double bubble void near the edge. The feature is natural and represents another surviving defect from the original silver blank.

The surfaces are comparatively high grade even though the strike itself is weak.

With collector tag, including the collector name “Donatello.”

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Lot 642. Mexico City, cob 4 reales, Philip V, style of 1705 to 1712, ex 1715 Fleet

Lot 642 Mexico City Philip V cob 4 reales 1715 Fleet
Lot 642. Click image to view the auction lot.

This is one of the most historically interesting coins in the collection. The narrow, curving 12.90 gram planchet still carries a good full cross and much of the shield.

The coin was recovered from the 1715 Fleet and comes from Lou Ullian, one of the original Real Eight Company members. Its reported association with Ullian’s famous forty pound clump gives it a direct connection with the early history of modern Fleet salvage.

With collector tag, including the collector name “Cardinal.” Ex 1715 Fleet and ex Lou Ullian.

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Lot 643. Mexico City, cob 4 reales, Philip V, style of 1712 to 1714

Lot 643 Mexico City Philip V cob 4 reales unusual curved planchet
Lot 643. Click image to view the auction lot.

This 10.91 gram 4 reales forms a broad curve terminating in a flat ended projection. The coin retains most of its shield and cross and shows that the same irregular planchet preparation found among the 8 reales also affected smaller denominations.

With collector tag M S3 57 (“Little Penguin”).

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Lot 644. Mexico City, cob 2 reales, Charles II, assayer not visible

Lot 644 Mexico City Charles II cob 2 reales long curved projection
Lot 644. Click image to view the auction lot.

At only 5.30 grams this is one of the smallest pieces selected here, yet its long curved projection is one of the most dramatic.

The coin is heavily worn, with an old piercing at the opposite end and small notches near the tip of the extension. Whatever use it may have seen after leaving the mint, the underlying form remains another striking example of the variety possible among Mexican cob planchets.

With collector tag M S4 59 (“Sailor’s Toothpick”). Pedigreed to the Isaac Rudman Collection.

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Reading the Silver

It is easy to enjoy these pieces simply for the accidental forms created by their unusual outlines. We do too. But the real value of the collection becomes apparent when the shapes are treated as evidence.

A straight edge can represent a cut. A broad rounded edge can preserve part of the natural side of the original silver strap. A pointed or hammered end can show adjustment toward the proper weight. Bubble holes and pits record imperfections that developed before striking.

Other histories were added later. Some coins crossed the Atlantic and disappeared in shipwrecks. Some were pierced. Others received countermarks after decades or even more than a century of circulation.

That combination is what makes this collection particularly interesting to us. The dies tell us what the mint intended to place on the coin. The planchets tell us how the mint actually made it.

For this collection, we look first at the silver.

Auction Information

Sedwick & Associates Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40

Auction dates: November 5 through 7, 2026
Location: Winter Park, Florida
Total sale: Nearly 1,950 lots offered across six sessions
Buyer’s premium: 22 percent

The Special Collection of Odd Shaped Mexican Cobs is offered in Session 3, Cobs of Mexico, Lima & Potosí, beginning Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

The pieces discussed above represent only a selection of the collection. We encourage collectors to browse the complete group in the Auction 40 catalog, where the unusual planchets can be compared across denominations, periods and individual minting characteristics.

New bidders should register in advance. Our auction terms request that new bidders register at least 72 hours before the auction so references and bidding approval can be completed when necessary.

A buyer’s premium of 22 percent is added to the winning bid. The online auction listing remains the definitive source for descriptions, corrections, bidding status and any updates made before the lots are sold.

Sedwick & Associates, LLC
P.O. Box 1964
Winter Park, Florida 32790
United States
407 975 3325

Browse Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40 and bid online

Further Reading

Daniel Frank Sedwick, “Straps for Cash”
1715 Fleet Society, October 2026 Treasure of the Month
1715 Fleet Society, “Special Collection of Odd Shaped Mexican Cobs”

Colombia en Sedwick Auction 40: variedades, rarezas y billetes que merecen una mirada más cercana

28 Oct

La sección colombiana de Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40 ofrece mucho más que una selección de monedas de alto valor. Entre los lotes aparecen patrones experimentales, variedades de cuño, emisiones escasas de Bogotá, Medellín y Popayán, además de algunos de los billetes privados y regionales más interesantes del período republicano.

La selección que sigue no pretende reunir simplemente las piezas más caras. El criterio es numismático: variedades, rareza, contexto histórico, características de fabricación y piezas capaces de explicar momentos concretos de la evolución monetaria colombiana.

Lote 977: Cartagena, 4 reales de imitación con fecha fantástica I88

Una de las áreas más complejas de la numismática colombiana de la Independencia son las llamadas emisiones de imitación de Cartagena.

Colombia Cartagena imitation cob 4 reales Ferdinand VII fantasy date I88 Sedwick Auction 40 lot 977

Lote 977. Cartagena, 4 reales de imitación. Fotografía: Sedwick & Associates, LLC.

Esta pieza de 4 reales lleva una fecha fantástica I88 y fue producida aproximadamente hacia 1815. Está catalogada como Restrepo 119.1 y presenta los cuadrantes de la cruz transpuestos.

Sedwick señala aproximadamente cinco ejemplares conocidos de esta variedad. Este ejemplar está certificado NGC VF 30 y aparece como el mejor graduado en el censo de NGC, aunque allí figura atribuido erróneamente a Barinas Caujaral, Venezuela.

Precisamente esa dificultad de atribución demuestra lo compleja que sigue siendo esta serie. Para el especialista, el interés está tanto en la rareza como en los errores, reutilizaciones y combinaciones de cuños que caracterizan las emisiones de los años de independencia.

Estimación: USD 4.000 a 8.000.

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Lote 1029: el patrón de ¼ real de 1825, una pieza única

Uno de los lotes más importantes de Colombia desde el punto de vista histórico es este patrón de cobre de ¼ real fechado en 1825.

Colombia copper pattern quarter real 1825 Sedwick Auction 40 lot 1029

Lote 1029. Patrón colombiano de ¼ real de 1825. Fotografía: Sedwick & Associates, LLC.

La moneda no está listada en Restrepo ni en KM y Sedwick la describe como única. NGC la certificó UNC Details por daño ambiental.

Su importancia va mucho más allá de la conservación. Una ley aprobada el 31 de mayo de 1823 había contemplado monedas menores de cobre con el busto de la Libertad, la inscripción REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA y el valor dentro de una corona de laurel.

El proyecto fue derogado en marzo de 1826 antes de que comenzara una producción normal. Sin embargo, sobrevivieron patrones fechados en 1825.

Sedwick ya había ofrecido el ejemplar conocido de ⅛ real. Ahora aparece el ¼ real, también considerado único.

Es una pieza extraordinariamente importante para entender los primeros intentos de crear una identidad monetaria propia para la República de Colombia.

Estimación: USD 6.000 a 12.000.

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Lote 1035: Bogotá 1842 sobre 1841

No todas las variedades interesantes tienen que alcanzar estimaciones de cinco cifras.

Este 8 reales de Bogotá de 1842 sobre 1841, Restrepo 194.6 y KM 98, presenta una sobrefecha claramente visible.

Las sobrefechas son especialmente atractivas porque documentan directamente la reutilización de cuños dentro de la ceca. En lugar de limitarse al año o al tipo general, permiten estudiar cómo trabajaban los talleres monetarios y cómo se extendía la vida útil de los troqueles.

Con una estimación relativamente accesible, es una de esas piezas que demuestran que una variedad puede ser numismáticamente más interesante que monedas considerablemente más caras.

Estimación: USD 350 a 500.

Buscar lote 1035 en la sesión

Lote 1057: Popayán 1870, 10 pesos con estrellas repunzadas

Entre las grandes monedas de oro colombianas de la subasta, esta pieza merece atención no solamente por su rareza sino por sus características de cuño.

Colombia Popayan gold 10 pesos 1870 repunched stars NGC MS 62 Sedwick Auction 40 lot 1057

Lote 1057. Popayán, 10 pesos de 1870. Fotografía: Sedwick & Associates, LLC.

Se trata de los 10 pesos de Popayán de 1870, Restrepo 332.8, Sedwick 40, KM 141.3 y Fr 103.

NGC la certificó MS 62.

Sedwick registra solamente cinco ejemplares conocidos y considera este el mejor de ellos. También es el único ejemplar actualmente registrado en el censo de NGC.

La variedad se reconoce, entre otros detalles, por las estrellas repunzadas y una prominente ruptura de cuño junto a la U de UNIDOS. Esos elementos coinciden con los demás ejemplares conocidos y ayudan a reconstruir la relación entre los troqueles empleados para la emisión.

Frank Sedwick clasificó la fecha como RRRR. Además, 1870 fue el último año del tipo de 10 pesos de Popayán.

Estimación: USD 20.000 a 30.000.

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Las variedades de Medellín que pueden pasar desapercibidas

La sesión Express ofrece una oportunidad diferente para el coleccionista de variedades.

Los 5 décimos de Medellín de la década de 1870 permiten comparar cambios de busto, leyendas, valores y repunzados sin entrar necesariamente en los niveles de precio de las grandes rarezas.

Entre ellos aparecen el 1873 con efigie clásica, el 1873 con punto dentro de la D de ESTADOS, variantes de 1874 con busto de Barré, ley invertida, 12,500 repunzado, además del 1874 sobre 4 y el 1875 sobre 4.

Son exactamente el tipo de monedas que recompensan al coleccionista dispuesto a estudiar los cuños en lugar de mirar únicamente la cifra de la estimación.

Ver las variedades de Medellín

Papel moneda colombiano: mucho más que los grandes bancos nacionales

El papel moneda colombiano de Auction 40 constituye una sección especialmente fuerte.

Aquí encontramos pruebas, billetes privados, emisiones regionales y dinero local asociado a algunos de los períodos más complejos de la historia monetaria del país.

Lote 1475: prueba única de 50 pesos del Banco de Colombia

Banco de Colombia proof 50 pesos 1875 PMG AU 53 Sedwick Auction 40 lot 1475

Lote 1475. Banco de Colombia, prueba de 50 pesos de 1875. Fotografía: Sedwick & Associates, LLC.

El lote 1475 es una prueba de 50 pesos del Banco de Colombia fechada el 1 de abril de 1875.

PMG la certificó AU 53 y es el único ejemplar actualmente registrado en su censo. Está sin listar en Pick y corresponde a DP 6723p.

Fue impresa por Paredes de Bogotá y presenta una importante viñeta del cóndor andino dentro de una representación de las armas de Colombia.

El contraste entre los sellos rojos, el papel azul y el diseño negro convierte la pieza en uno de los billetes visualmente más atractivos de la sección.

Sedwick señala además que no se conocía ningún ejemplar en la colección Eldorado.

Procedencia: J. Cuartas Collection.

Estimación: USD 9.000 a 13.500.

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Lote 1476: Banco de Bogotá, 10 pesos de 1875

El siguiente billete es igualmente importante.

Se trata de un Banco de Bogotá de 10 pesos fechado el 15 de febrero de 1875, serie C, número 2584.

Sedwick lo describe como único y PMG lo certificó Choice Fine 15.

El diseño fue producido por Perkins, Bacon & Co. de Londres. La impresión negra está acompañada por medallones rojos de denominación y un reverso de elaborada ornamentación.

La pieza aparece ilustrada en el Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia de Danilo Parra Ariza, lo que le añade un importante pedigree bibliográfico.

Estimación: USD 7.500 a 15.000.

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Lote 1480: Agencia Bancaria de Medellín, 50 pesos de 1898

Una de las piezas más importantes para el estudio de la banca regional colombiana es este billete de 50 pesos de la Agencia Bancaria de Medellín, fechado el 29 de marzo de 1898 y numerado 79.

Está descrito como el único ejemplar conocido y el único registrado por PMG, donde recibió la calificación VF 30.

Además, es el ejemplar ilustrado en la página 393 del Compendio Histórico del Papel Moneda en Colombia.

Numerosos sellos bancarios y gubernamentales aparecen sobre ambas caras. El resultado es prácticamente un documento de circulación monetaria y administrativa.

Estimación: USD 2.500 a 3.750.

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Lote 1482: Banco del Progreso de Medellín, 20 pesos de 1898

Otro billete que merece especial atención es este 20 pesos del Banco del Progreso de Medellín, fechado el 29 de marzo de 1898.

No está listado en DP ni en Pick.

PMG lo certificó Fine 12 y es actualmente el único ejemplar registrado.

A diferencia de una prueba o specimen conservado desde su impresión, este billete circuló intensamente. Precisamente por ello es una pieza históricamente importante: representa una emisión real que sobrevivió al uso cotidiano y que durante mucho tiempo permaneció prácticamente indocumentada.

Procedencia: J. Cuartas Collection.

Estimación: USD 1.000 a 1.500.

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Lote 1486: Hacienda Entre Rios, 10 centavos durante la Guerra de los Mil Días

Una de las piezas más interesantes de toda la subasta desde el punto de vista histórico no procede de un gran banco.

Colombia Hacienda Entre Rios 10 centavos 1900 Sedwick Auction 40 lot 1486

Lote 1486. Hacienda Entre Rios, 10 centavos de 1900. Fotografía: Sedwick & Associates, LLC.

Es una emisión de Hacienda Entre Rios por 10 centavos, fechada el 28 de abril de 1900.

Fue impresa por Eugenio Pardo de Bogotá durante la alteración monetaria producida por la Guerra de los Mil Días.

Está sin listar en Pick y DP y Sedwick la describe como única.

El ejemplar está numerado 0162 y conserva el tipo de impresión ornamental y las firmas de una emisión monetaria local concebida para responder a una situación económica extraordinaria.

Su procedencia también es importante: perteneció a la colección Money of the People de Neil Shafer.

Este tipo de billete permite estudiar una dimensión de la historia monetaria colombiana que las grandes emisiones nacionales no muestran. Cuando el sistema monetario regular se interrumpe, haciendas, comercios y entidades regionales pueden terminar creando sus propios instrumentos de pago.

Estimación: USD 3.500 a 5.000.

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Una subasta para estudiar, no solamente para comprar

La selección colombiana de Auction 40 demuestra por qué una colección seria no tiene que construirse únicamente alrededor de las monedas con las mayores estimaciones.

El patrón de ¼ real de 1825 documenta uno de los primeros proyectos monetarios de la República. Las imitaciones de Cartagena reflejan la complejidad de los años de independencia. Las sobrefechas, repunzados y cambios de busto permiten reconstruir prácticas concretas dentro de las cecas.

En el papel moneda ocurre algo similar. Las pruebas de los grandes bancos conviven con emisiones regionales y dinero local que sobrevivió en cantidades mínimas.

En algunos casos conocemos un solo ejemplar.

Esa combinación de variedades, rareza, contexto histórico y diversidad monetaria convierte a Colombia en una de las secciones más interesantes de Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40.

Sedwick & Associates, LLC
Treasure, World Coin & Paper Money Auction 40

5 al 7 de noviembre de 2026

Monedas antiguas y mundiales: 6 de noviembre.
Medallas y papel moneda mundial: 6 de noviembre.
Sesión Express: 7 de noviembre.

Ver el catálogo completo de Auction 40

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