This week’s preview for the January 2019 New York International Auction features a lovely Latin American gold coin from the short lived South Peru Republic, a portion of the larger Peru-Bolivian Confederacy. Enacted by the Bolivian dictator Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz, this union would last for less than three years. The confederation would be brought down by a unified Chilean and Peruvian rebel force in the "War of the Confederation." After the final battle at Yungay in January 1839, Marshal Santa Cruz fled into exile. The years following the fall of the confederation saw prolonged internal conflict and chaos in both Peru and Bolivia. Before the fall of this Peru-Bolivian Confederacy, this coin was produced in a final moment of stability for the region.
The interesting designs for this type are offer a plethora of detail. The radiate sun-face appears above the crossed flags of the confederation, with five stars above. Each star represents the constituent states or regions of South Peru: Ayacucho, Cuzco, Arequipa, Puno and Tacna. The equally impressive reverse design features a coastal scene, with a crowned castle tower at left, volcano at right, and a ship at sea. This whole motif is elegantly framed within a wreath. The example to be offered in the Stack’s Bowers January 2019 auction is attractive for this beloved issue, adorned in bright orange tone, with dazzling gleaming fields. The bold sunface design on the obverse pairs with an equally well-defined reverse motif. Close inspection confirms the outstanding quality, with only a few superficial hairlines scattered here and there. Due to its iconic design, this is one of the most prized issues of Latin America and is rare in this quality. This is a great opportunity for specialists or collectors of highly demanded world gold types.
While we are no longer taking consignments for our January 2019 New York International Auction, we are taking consignments of world and ancient coins and world paper money for the upcoming February 2019 Collector’s Choice Online Auction and the August 2019 ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Rosemont, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. We are also accepting consignments of Chinese and other Asian coins and currency for our March 2019 Hong Kong Showcase Auction. If you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment directors.
