429. Mexico City, Mexico, 3 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series,” assayer R (Gothic) at bottom between pillars, no waves, three-bars denomination, crown outside beaded circle, rare, NGC VF details / sea salvaged, ex-Jones (Plate Coin). Nesmith-
Maybe the most interesting of assayer-R coin denominations, with three vertical bars bridged by rounded joining tops, this one struck without retrograde N’s, a characteristic of Nesmith #5d shield legends. The deep dark toning suggests probable sea immersion, but the details are legible and the strike good. This type is much rarer than the three-dot variety, an important addition to any type-collection. Pedigreed to the Dr. Peter Jones collection, plated on page 55 of his book The First Coins of the Americas (2020), and to the Ponterio auction of January 2005, with original lot-tag #413. NGC #5907772-001. Estimate: $3,500-$5,000. 5d type/5d; Cal-101; S-M1; KM-14a. 7.85 grams.
430. Mexico City, Mexico, 2 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series, assayer P to right, mintmark M to left (oMo-oPo), panel leaning left, rare, ex-Jones (Plate Coin). Nesmith-25
for type/25b; Cal-123; S-M4; KM-11. 6.63 grams. A
choice AU example with deep, rich toning all over, full details including legends, and most likely from the “Golden Fleece wreck” (ca. 1550). Its real beauty to specialists, however, lies in its die linkage to coins created by the subsequent assayer F, and it is one of only three known to illustrate that linkage. Pedigreed to the Dr. Peter Jones collection, plated on page 65 of his book The First Coins of the Americas (2020). Estimate: $750-$1,100.
431. Mexico City, Mexico, 2 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series,” assayer F/P to right, mintmark M to left (oMo-oP/
Fo), panel leaning left, very rare, ex-Jones (Plate Coin). Nesmith-15 for type; Cal-110 type; S-M3; KM-unl. 6.64 grams. A choice example from this very elusive assayer who struck coins for only a few months between assayers P and G (presumably in the year 1541, but in any case just before the changeover to “Late Series” in 1542), with less than 50 coins in four denominations still extant, less than a dozen known in 2 reales. A die match to Nesmith #15 except for the assayer-F mark punched over a previous P. Broad flan with full and bold legends, AU- with nice toning, two hairline edge-cracks. Pedigreed to the Dr. Peter Jones collection, plated on page 70 of his book The First Coins of the Americas (2020), and to our Auction 22, with original lot-tag #521. Estimate: $5,000-$7,500.
432. Mexico City, Mexico, 2 reales, Charles-Joanna, “Early Series,” assayer G at bottom between pillars, rare, ex-Jones (Plate Coin). Nesmith-10; Cal-106; S-M2; KM-11. 6.76 grams. All “Early Series” smaller denominations are elusive, and this example is choice, bold AU
with deep, dark toning and full legends, from the “Golden Fleece wreck” (ca. 1550). Pedigreed to the Dr. Peter Jones collection, plated on page 75 of his book The First Coins of the Americas (2020). Estimate: $700-$1,000.
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