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British Oval Countermark on a Bolivian Eight Reales
George III (1760-1820), oval countermark upon Spanish Eight Reales of King Charles IIII (1788-1808),
1794 PR. Struck in Potosi, Bolivia, small oval hallmark of George III right at center of obverse, bust of
Spanish King laureate and draped right, date below, legend and toothed border surrounding, CAROLVS.
IIII. DEI. GRATIA, Rev. crowned quartered shield of arms, pillar with ribbon motto either side PLUS
ULTRA, legend surrounding.HISPAN. ET IND. REX. PTSI. 8R. P.R. (ESC 131; Bull 1855; S 3765A; KM
626). Toned, some light surface marks, in PCGS holder graded AU 50.
$1,200
PCGS certification 34313093. These emergency countermarked coins were struck in relation to a crisis with the silver coin-
age at the end of the 18th Century where the supply of silver in commerce and for the Mint had dwindled due to the Wars in
France after the Revolution in 1797. From March 1797 the Bank of England therefore released stocks of its Spanish dollars
each with an oval countermark valued at 4s and 9d for currency. They did not really alleviate the problem of smaller change
and were issued on an off with the oval countermark until a more complex larger octagonal mark replaced them from Janu-
ary to May 1804, as the oval pieces were being counterfeited. Eventually the octagonal replacements were also copied widely
and the ultimate solution was to have the Soho Mint totally overstrike the Spanish Dollars with the Bank of England design.