Coins of the West Indies from the Collection of the late Edward Roehrs (Part II)

Tobago, Issues of 1798, Eleven-Bitt Dollar (valued at Eight Shillings and Threepence), MEXICO, Charles IIII, 8 Réales, 1795fm, Mexico City, pierced from the obv. with a central hole with 15 crenations, 23.15g/357.2gr (cf. Prid. 1 [Sale, lot 289, this coin, described as a contemporary forgery]; KM. 12). Fine, very rare £900-1,200

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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Provenance: F. Pridmore Collection, Part I, Glendining Auction, 21-2 September 1981, lot 289.

The Eleven Bitt dollars pierced with a central hole with 15 crenations were not previously recognised, but examination of dollars pierced with a central hole with 14 crenations strongly suggests that the actual piercing of the coins would be a very difficult task due to the design of the piercing tool. It is likely that the cutting tool broke or was discarded in favour of a more efficient cutting method, which by chance had 15 crenations