CNG 99, Lot: 1013. Estimate $200. Sold for $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GUATEMALA, Republic. 1839-pres. AR 8 Reales (38mm). Contemporary counterfeit of a type III countermark. Struck circa 1841. Radiant sun rising over three volcanoes / Sunface in five-pointed star above crossed quiver, bow, and arrow countermarked on a Peruvian 8 Reales dated 1841 (LIMA) MB. For countermark: Elizondo –; KM – . For host: Elizondo 137; KM 142.8. In NGC encapsulation graded AU 58.

The type III and type IV countermarks of Guatemala both feature the same volcanoes and star types, with the type III struck in 1840 from two separate punches, and the type IV in 1841 from a single pair of hinged punches. The marks on the present piece are clearly from two separate punches, yet they occur on a coin dated 1841 - after the hinged punches were already adopted. This anomaly, when considered alongside the surprisingly crude quality of the countermarks on the present piece, suggests that they are contemporary counterfeits.