The Patrick H.C. Tan Collection of Spain and Her New World Colonies

Triton XIV, Lot: 1459. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

REINO DE ESPAÑA, Spain. Felipe II el Prudente. 1556-1598. AR 8 Reales. Segovia mint. Dated 1591/0. PHILIPPVS · D · G · HISPANIARVM, crowned royal coat-of-arms; vertical aqueduct to left, VIII (denomination) to right / ET · INDIARVM · REX · 1591/0, coat-of-arms of Spain within ornate quadrilobe. ME 4021; Calicó 223. In NGC slab graded AU 55, toned.

From the Patrick H.C. Tan Collection. Ex Heritage 441 (27 September 2007), lot 52417.

Yet another collection formed by Patrick Tan, Classical Numismatic Group is proud to offer this stunning array of 8 Reales, known universally as ‘Pillar Dollars.’ This collection consists of some of the earlier Spanish issues displaying the original nature of the pillar designs, while mostly focusing on the new world issues of the ‘milled columnario’ type. The variety of mints, dates, and assayers presents a wonderful opportunity for both starting one’s collection of filling in the missing rarities. All of the following lots are from the Patrick H.C. Tan Collection except for 1460, 1462, and 1463.

‘The Legacy and Allure of the ‘Pillar Dollar’

An iconic design that linked worlds both old and new as well as time periods both ancient and modern, the pillar coinage utilized by Spain and her territorial possessions in the west has enticed collectors for over a century. Emanating from Greek legend, the Pillars of Hercules were located on either side of the Straits of Gibraltar – the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea. Moving forward chronologically, these ‘pillars’ became associated not with the ancient connection between the old world and new, but rather a more medieval connection, with the newly discovered and still relatively unexplored Americas serving as one of the two pillars. At that time, some of the coinage and medals of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Charles I of Spain) began using this iconography, further establishing the land claims in the new world which were held by the old. An additional motif was added in the form of a ribbon draped around the two pillars and inscribed with the Latin motto PLVS VLTRA, meaning ‘further beyond.’ Thus, the garlanded pillars became emblematic of Spanish coinage both at home and abroad, as the design was used at the colonial mints of Santo Domingo and Mexico City as early as the first quarter of the sixteenth century.

Following the artistic and iconographic evolution of this design was the increased skill and accuracy in the field of cartography, as map making became greatly important in the age of exploration. Though still seemingly crude by modern standards, the maps created in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries were invaluable and eventually found their way into the pillar coinage as well. This marriage of types was formally presented in a stunning work of artistry and craftsmanship by Francisco Hernández Escudero with a pattern 8 Reales struck at Mexico City in 1732. The obverse featured the ageless motif consisting of the Spanish coat-of-arms surmounted by a royal crown. Across the field was the assayer’s initial and the mark of value in reales. The surrounding legend conveyed the monarch, as well as this royal title – PHILLIP V D(EI) G(RATIA) HISPAN(IARVM) ET IND(IARVM) REX: Philip V, by the grace of God, King of Spain and India. The reverse, however, featured the iconic symbolism which has captivated so many: the elegant pillars, each surmounted by a crown and the garlanded inscription PLVS VLTRA on either side of the western and eastern hemispheres – set as two, yet joined as one – and all under a royal crown, furthering the expanse of Spain’s rule. Around and above is the legend VTRAQVE VNVM, signifying that ‘[the monarch had made them] both one,’ and below, the date with the colonial mintmark to either side.

The delicate balance of elegance and simplicity allowed the design to be rendered throughout the range of denominations, from 8 Reales all the way down to the half. The universality of it also allowed for its circulation to spread far beyond the colonial mints and territories at and for which they were minted. These pillars became standard currency all throughout the emerging markets in Asia, and served as a de facto coinage in North America, even after the Revolutionary War and United States’ independence from Great Britain. Though her own federal currency began production in 1793, the Spanish colonial 8 Reales and subsequent minors were traded on par with the US dollar up to the Mint Act of 1857, long after Spain had lost her grip upon the very colonies which had produced these pieces. As such, the pillar coinage has enjoyed a collector base from many different spheres, budgets, and interests.