The Roehrs Collection of West Indies Cut and Countermarked Coins (Part I)

Virgin Islands – Tortola, ——— Quarter-Dollar, a very lightweight cut quarter segment of a Spanish-American 8 Réales (or possibly a 4 Réales), one side countermarked tortola raised within a shaped indent, 4.46g/68.8 gr (Prid. 3; Pridmore, SNC September 1974, type 1/b, late die state [Sale, lot 177]; KM. 6). Coin worn smooth, countermark about fine
£120-150

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Cut and Countermarked Coins formed by the late Edward Roehrs.

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Collection

Provenance: Ponterio & Associates Auction 133 (New York), 14-15 January 2005, lot 2403.

This coin is of particular interest in that it highlights the fact that the Virgin Island Act of February 1801 did not specify any minimum weights for the various cut segments. It is quite possible that this segment is from a 4 réales and received one of the official countermarks simply based on its size and shape