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1/2 Real - Felipe II monogram

Issuer Casa de Moneda de Lima
Year 1570-1577
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Value 1/2 Real
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Obverse description Central field dominated by the crowned royal cipher of Philip II, comprising an interlaced 'P' and 'F' monogram (Philippus/Felipe) surmounted by a royal crown. The assayer mark 'D' appears to the left of the monogram. The legend, partially visible on this cob-style flan, reads PHILIPPVS II D G HISPANIA and is contained within a beaded inner border. The design is characteristic of the macuquina (cob) coinage produced at the Lima Mint during the early colonial period, with an irregular, roughly circular flan resulting from the hammered production method.
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Obverse lettering PHILIPPVS II D G HISPANIA
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Additional information

Felipe II's Peruvian mint at Lima operated under chronic supervisory dysfunction throughout the 1570s, culminating in a full fraud investigation that exposed systematic short-weighting and alloy adulteration by mint officials. The scandal ultimately led to the execution of assayer Álvaro Alonso in 1577 — the same year this monogram type ceased production. Coins from this window should be treated with appropriate skepticism regarding stated fineness, as documented fraud means actual silver content varied considerably from the official .931 standard.