1752 Peru reales: Brad Yonaka's response on listed low mintages
Early_Milled_Latin_America
Posts: 6,539 ✭✭✭✭✭
I reached out to Brad concerning the very low mintages for these coins and asked since there seems to be more than expected that survived what are his thoughts.
His response:
Hi,
I also wonder about the low listed mintage for that issue. Normally, I would expect some tiny fraction of original strikes to remain (like less than 1%). Extant specimens are sometimes higher in the case of 'novelty' issues, such as the 1752s for Lima, just because it was new and interesting, and examples were surely given to all the VIPs parading through the mint (as they must have been for 1751, which might have been nearly all 8 reales strikes, we don't know). I really can't say anything about the 4 reales for 1752, since I personally haven't seen one.
Best regards,
Brad Yonaka
Comments
His other response:
Hi,
I'm sure speculation will always be the case with the official mintage numbers. There is always a chance that the mint reported something different than what they did. But I don't doubt that in the first few years, it was more difficult for them to make the coins due to technical issues, especially when they were constantly being distracted to produce 8 reales at the expense of everything else.
Best regards,
Brad Yonaka
Listed 1752 Peru mintages:
1/2 real = not listed
1 real = 424 minted
2 reales = 208 minted
4 reales = 81 minted
I don't think the number of appearances is explained by presenting all but the 4R to dignitaries or officials. If these mintages are accurate and this is the actual explanation, why isn't there a single 4R confirmed?
My assumption is that it's more likely due to calendar vs. fiscal year, a timing difference, but I don't actually know this. Mintage records were (and still primarily are) maintained for accounting and budget purposes, not coin collectors.
Not saying anyone one is right versus wrong just presenting theories. You could very well be right WCC.
My recent new addition....Very rare date 1752 Peru 2 reales Yonaka states mintage of only 208 (could be more based on other theories):