Lot 29
1798 Silver 8 Reales Carolus IIII
Sold October 23, 2025
- Price realized
- $100
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $75-125
Origin: Spain
Denomination: Eight Reales
Year: 1798
Mint: Potosi mint in Bolivia
Grade: Estimated VG to F
Metal: Silver
Weight: 26.2g
Additional Description: The 1798 silver 8 reales coin stands as a defining artifact of global commerce in the late 18th century. Struck at the Potosi mint in Bolivia under the reign of Carolus IV of Spain, it forms part of the wider Spanish colonial coinage system that circulated extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Known colloquially as a “piece of eight,” the 8 reales served as a de facto international currency due to its consistent silver content and trusted minting standards. The obverse bears the laureate bust of Charles IV, modeled in the neoclassical style common to the period, while the reverse features the crowned Spanish coat of arms flanked by the Pillars of Hercules, symbolizing Spain’s imperial reach. Its wide acceptance, including its influence on early U.S. currency, reflects both the economic power of the Spanish Empire and the practical importance of coinage in facilitating long-distance trade. A 1798 example, particularly one retaining strong detail, connects directly to this era of maritime empires and economic exchange at a truly global scale.
Lot details
- Lot
- 29
- Closed
- October 23, 2025
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