Important British and World Coins including Important Irish Coins from a Private Collection (Part II)

Jamaica, Pistole (valued at One Pound Fifteen Shillings, authorised November 1758), a Colombia, Ferdinand VI, 2 Escudos, 1759j, Popayán, countermarked in the centre of both sides with gr floriate, in relief, within a circular indent, 6.59g (Prid. 2; Gordon 2/a, this coin illustrated; KM. 10.2 [Unique]; F 3). Coin fine, obverse countermark very fine, reverse countermark fine, of the highest rarity, only three other specimens recorded (£25,000-30,000)

Provenance:
R. Gordon Collection (a private sale).

Illustrated on the back cover. This specimen was first recorded in the Henry Christensen Inc. column ‘Numismatic Jewels’ in the late 1970s (the exact date could not be located by the cataloguer prior to the catalogue going to press). The late Ralph Gordon, in his West Indies Countermarked Gold Coins, 1987, recorded three specimens of the pistole, including this piece. However, at least one other coin of Popayán dated 1758 is extant (Glendining Auction, 16-17 June 1937, lot 416), although in inferior state to the Byrne specimen alluded to by Gordon