(sold for $299.0)

1838, South Peru. Scarce Silver 4 Reales Coin. Fortress & Sailship Type!

Mint Year: 1838
Reference: KM-172.
Mint Place: Arequipa
Denomination: 4 Reales
Condition: Minor planchet imperfection and light weakness of strike, otherwise XF!
Diameter: 32.4mm
Weight: 12.02gm
Material: Silver

Obverse: Fortress decorated with eagles holding wreaths and with central tower surmounted by Inca crown and smoking volcano set on field with cornucopia; behind, sea with ship sailing left. All within laurel wreath surmounted by cross.
Legend: FIRME Y FELIZ POR LA UNION . CONFEDERACION . M . S .

Reverse: Radiate sun with face. Five stars above.
Legend: REPUB . SUD PERUANA . 4R . AREQ . 1838 .

The Republic of South Peru was one of the three constituent Republics of the short-lived Peru-Bolivian Confederation of 1836-39.

South Peru was formed from the division of the Republic of Peru into the Republic of North Peru and the Republic of South Peru. These two Republics were founded in 1836 to be (with the Republic of Bolivia) constituent Republics of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation.

The Confederation came to an end three years later after being defeated by Chile in the War of the Confederation. In August 1839, Agustín Gamarra declared the Confederation dissolved; as a result South Peru and North Peru reverted to being a single Republic of Peru.